Information providing system and a method for providing information

ABSTRACT

A system and method are provided which are necessary for exchanging information among a sales agent a 1 , user a 2  and manufacturer A, for preparing a parts check list on an on-line basis, and for storing information to be provided.  
     If, for example, the sales agent a 1  or user a 2  wants to acquire information from the manufacturer A, manufacturer A will directly confer a password to sales agent a1 with whom manufacturer A directly deals with, while sales agent a 1  will directly confer a password to user a 2  with whom sales agent a1 directly deals with, on behalf of manufacturer A. This arrangement makes it possible to easily and securely provide, to a specified information seeker, information required by that information seeker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an information providing systemand method for providing information, an electronic mailing system andmethod for exchanging electronic mails, a parts check list preparingsystem and method for preparing a parts check list, an informationstoring system and method for storing information, and a computerprogram for executing those methods (medium for recording the program).

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] A variety of products have been produced, marketed, purchased andconsumed. Generally, products are manufactured by manufacturers,marketed by retailers, and transported to users for consumption.

[0005] Heavy construction machines such as wheel loaders or bulldozersrequire replacement of parts for the fixation of disorders or as aresult of the periodic inspection, and in response to such a demand, theparts are provided to the users by the same routes through which theproducts are provided.

[0006] The user, for ensuring the stable supply of necessary parts forthe maintenance works including inspection, must obtain the informationof the parts retained by the manufacturer. Conventionally, the retailermakes a list of parts in the form of paper sheets available for theuser's inspection. Thus, if the user wants to get necessary parts, hemust mainly resort to a communication means based on paper sheets suchas order forms.

[0007] Recently, as computers and networks such as Internet spreadwidely among people, the manufacturers open their web sites to make theinformation of their products available to general public, therebyadvertising those products. Communication based on electronic mails isalso widely utilized: the user or the retailer contacts throughelectronic mails the manufacturer for questioning or consultation, orfor ordering parts.

[0008] Provision of information from the manufacturer through the website or through electronic mails, however, has a number of problems asdescribed below For the smooth distribution of information or executionof on-line ordering, it is necessary to convert parts lists which areconventionally printed on paper sheets into electronic data, so thatthey may be stored and retrieved at any desired time. To achieve this, anumber of problems as described below must be overcome.

[0009] [Providing Information]

[0010] Recently, companies avidly open their home pages (sitesidentified by URLs (Uniformed Resource Locator)) on Internet using WWW(World Wide Web) system, to distribute therewith the information of thegoods they deal. It is also possible for the user to obtain theinformation of various products using his network terminal. Moreover,the site specialized in providing information introduces users to thehome-pages of multiple enterprises (companies) that are dealing with thesame products. Thus, the user can easily and quickly obtain theinformation of his desired products by gaining access to the home-pagesof the manufacturers of those products.

[0011] However, because the home-page of a company is accessible toanyone that can use a terminal connected to the same network, theinformation provided by the company through its home-page must be keptat such a level as to barely satisfy the demand of general customers,and, so it is said, does not stay at a level sufficiently high tosatisfy the customers more closely connected with the company.

[0012] Further, there are cases where a customer of the company has hisown customers. Assume, for example, the company represents amanufacturer of a certain product; an agent assigned the sale of theproduct a direct customer of the company; and an end user or the user ofthe product a direct customer of the agent.

[0013] In this case, if the end user wants to obtain the information ofthe product from the manufacturer, it is customary for the user to visitthe agent for the information. This is because, although it is possiblefor the user to gain access to the home-page of the manufacture onInternet, the information he might get from the home-page haslimitations.

[0014] As is well known, there are information providing systems(services) which provide the subscribers with necessary information viaa network. In this system, the information provider provides only hislicensed members with detailed information. If a manufacturer constructssuch a system, and its agents and the end-users connected with theagents are recognized as licensed members, it will be possible for theuser or the member to obtain necessary and detailed information via thesystem.

[0015] Even in such an information providing system restricted tolicensed members, it often occurs that the manufacturer or theinformation provider can not readily determine whether or not a givenmember is sufficiently qualified to be given intimate information of itsproducts, because license may be given to the end-users that are not itsdirect customers. This is particularly important when licensetransaction is carried out between the license-giver and thelicense-receiver via terminals connected to a network, and when thelicense-giver can not quickly determine whether or not the licenseapplicant is sufficiently qualified for the license.

[0016] The end user may gain access to the agent he directly deals with,and obtain the information of the manufacturer kept by that agent.However, to meet the demand of the end-user through such a route, theagent must construct a database with a vast content which will requireconsiderable maintenance works and a great financial cost from theagent.

[0017] The object of this invention is to present an informationproviding system whereby the information provider can easily andsecurely provide a specific user with the detailed information the userseeks without requiring a great cost, a method for providinginformation, and a computer program (medium for recording the program)executing the information providing method.

[0018] [Electronic Mail]

[0019] Recently the electronic mailing system is avidly utilized wherebyit is possible for different computer terminals connected via a networkto exchange electronic mails. Such electronic mailing systems are usedin a wide variety of fields for various purposes.

[0020] Let's consider how such an electronic mailing system is utilizedby the people involved in the trade of construction machines. If a userfinds his wheel loader or bulldozer is out of order because of thefailure of certain parts, the retailer who sold the machine to the userconfirms the failure, and informs the manufacturer of the failure via anelectronic mail. The electronic mail transmitted from the terminal ofthe retailer is instantly received by the terminal of the manufacturer,which makes it possible for the manufacturer to quickly take a properaction according to the information conveyed by the mail.

[0021] However, in many cases, the electronic mail conveys informationonly in the form of texts, and hence the information it conveys aboutthe failure or the situation causing the failure is not alwayssufficiently accurate and detailed, which may, in certain cases, cause aretarded response.

[0022] To meet this, if the information provider supplements theelectronic mail with an image file carrying a drawing of the failedparts or a photo representing the failure, exchange of information basedon images as well as on texts will be possible, whenever the informationreceiver opens this file. Through this means it will be possible for theinformation receiver to grasp the information more accurately byreferring to the image file than would be possible if he was solelydependent on the text file.

[0023] However, because preparation of such an image file is generallyperformed using a dedicated software package different from the mailingsoftware used for preparation of electronic mails, to prepare such animage file, the user must boot up such application software before hestarts editing a necessary image, which will complicate the procedures,and require more labor and time than would be possible if he was solelydependent on the mailing software.

[0024] Moreover, if the information receiver's terminal did not installthe same application software, he could not open the image file even ifhe receives the file. Thus, this mode of communication is notuniversally applicable.

[0025] Furthermore, such an image file contains a large quantity ofdata, and requires a considerable time for transmission.

[0026] The object of this invention is to provide an electronic mailingsystem sufficiently widely applicable whereby it is possible to easilyprocess an image pasted to an electronic mail, and to quickly transmitsuch a mail in a short time, a method for transmitting/receivingelectronic mails, and a computer program (medium for recording theprogram) for executing the method for transrnitting/receiving electronicmails.

[0027] [Parts Check List]

[0028] The user of a wheel loader or a bulldozer, if he needs to replacefailed parts causing a disorder or identified during periodicinspection, must purchase new parts from the retailer dealing with suchconstruction machines. Before he buys the necessary parts, he willcontact the retailer selling such construction machines to send him anestimation of the cost of the parts. When the retailer receives arequest from the user for an estimation of the cost of the parts, shechecks the parts stored in her warehouse or in the warehouse of themanufacturer, and the unit prices of those parts, prepares anestimation, and sends it to the user. Later, the user, based on theestimation, sends an order to the retailer.

[0029] According to certain circumstances, the user may purchase theparts directly from the manufacturer. In such cases, however, before hebuys the parts, the user will usually ask the manufacturer to send himan estimation of the cost of those parts.

[0030] The request form sent by the user for estimation of theavailability and cost of necessary parts usually consists of a requestsupplemented with a list of necessary parts, or a list of necessaryparts arranged to take a request form. This parts list describes theinformation of necessary parts including their names, their productnumbers, and required numbers.

[0031] However, to prepare such a parts list, it is necessary to locatethe necessary parts in voluminous documents such as parts catalogues,and to identify their names and product numbers, This work requires muchlabor and time.

[0032] Moreover, the construction machine usually occurs in manydifferent models, and each of the models is composed of a vast number ofparts. Therefore, two apparently similar machines may have differentmodel numbers, while two apparently different machines may have similarmodel numbers. Moreover, as the model number usually occurs as amultiple order number, the scriber may wrongly read the number, orwrongly write the number when she copies the number in the parts list.

[0033] Such problems as described above in relation to the purchase ofthe parts of construction machines are not limited to those constructionmachines. The same problems may be encountered in the trading of widelydifferent merchandise such as machines and instruments in other fields,automobiles, houses, leisure goods, and goods required for everydaylife.

[0034] The object of this invention is to provide a parts list preparingsystem whereby it is possible to quickly and accurately prepare a partslist.

[0035] [Storing Information]

[0036] Recently, people in such fields as machine designing, buildingdesigning and circuit designing prepare designs using a CAD system. Thedesign prepared by the use of such a CAD system occurs as digital data,and is stored as such. Thus, it is not stored as paper sheets, and willnot require cost of paper and printing, and space for storage.

[0037] However, if a design is prepared with conventional means otherthan the CAD system, it is necessary to store it in the form of papersheets Which requires a cost for management. The design may be stored ina micro-film to reduce the space required for its storage, but as itdoes not occur as digital data, saving the cost required for itsmanagement by such means will meet a limitation.

[0038] During the preparation of an assemblage drawing of a product, itmay sometimes become necessary to prepare, in addition to a drawing, aseparate paper sheet on which a list of necessary parts is described. Insuch a case, the parts list is added to the assemblage drawing, whichwill cause consumption of paper sheets to increase, and their managementcost to rise.

[0039] Moreover, as the data in the assemblage drawing and the data inthe parts list relate with each other, their management must be devisedso as to maintain the interrelation, which will require an extra laborand cost. This also applies to the case where an assemblage drawing of aproduct is prepared in conjunction with a parts list by the use of a CADsystem. Thus, if a data file conveying the assemblage drawing of aproduct is not managed in close association with its accessory fileconveying the parts list, the operation at the terminal based on the CADsystem will become so cumbersome that retrieval of related data from thetwo files will not be achieved readily.

[0040] True, currently there are systems whereby it is possible to readdrawings, lists of data, and various other materials occurring asdocuments so as to convert them into digital data. However, even if sucha system is used for the management of an assemblage drawing of aproduct together with its parts list, the management of those data fileswill be still cumbersome as long as the drawing and the parts listrelate with each other, and it may sometimes impossible to instantlyretrieve related data from the drawing and the parts list.

[0041] The object of this invention is to provide an information storingsystem whereby it is possible to greatly reduce the cost required forthe management of data printed on paper sheets by converting them intodigital data, .and to easily retrieve image data and character datarelated with each other in combination or independently of each other,and a method for storing information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0042] [Providing Information]

[0043] The information providing system of this invention is aninformation providing system whereby information retained by a pluralityof information providers stored in a network server is provided via thenetwork to network users who seek the information, the network servercomprising a plurality of storing portions to store the data of theplurality of information providers; a key conferring means which confersa security key to a first information seeker to whom the informationprovider has granted permission for gaining access to the information ofthat provider, and confers another security key to a second informationseeker provided that the first information seeker permits the secondinformation seeker to obtain the information directly from theinformation provider; a key checking means to check the security keysfed by the first and second information seekers to determine whether ornot the information should be delivered to them; and a informationsearching/retrieving means to locate the information sought by the firstand second information seekers in the storing portions based on thesecurity keys, and to retrieve the information.

[0044] According to this arrangement, the information provider cansafely provide the first information seeker with more detailedinformation than is distributed to general audience, because thesecurity key is conferred only to the first information seeker whom theprovider has permitted to gain access to the information possessed bythe provider.

[0045] Further, because the first information seeker grants permissionto the second information seeker on behalf of the information provider,the provider can provide the second information seeker with the desiredinformation based on the fact that the first information seeker withwhom the provider has had a reliable relation granted permission to thesecond information seeker, although the provider himself has no directrelation with the second information seeker. Through this arrangement,it is possible for the information provider to be relieved of cumbersomelicense transactions with the second information seeker, and to providethe second information seeker with the information as detailed as thatgiven to the first information seeker.

[0046] Subsequent to this session, the second information seeker isgranted a security directly by the information provider, so that theseeker may obtain information directly from the provider succeedingsessions. Therefore, it will become unnecessary for the secondinformation seeker to obtain information from the first informationseeker, and will be possible for the first information seeker to save acost required for the construction of a database.

[0047] According to the information providing system of this invention,the storing portion has a plurality of storing areas, and the first andsecond information seekers are preferably allowed to gain access to someof the storing areas the information provider selected for them.

[0048] With this system, it is possible for the information provider torank the first and second information seekers according to theconfidentiality of information permitted to them. For example, theinformation provider can permit the second information seeker to gainaccess to a limited number of storing areas out of the storing areaspermitted to the first information seeker.

[0049] Restriction of the storing areas to which the second informationseeker is permitted to gain access may be made by the informationprovider, or by the first information seeker.

[0050] According to the information providing system of this invention,the information may comprise at least image data, and character datarelated with characters contained in that image data.

[0051] The image data consists, for example, of the graphics and imagesof a product and its parts handled by the information provider. Thecharacter data consists, for example, of the names of the product andits parts, and the numbers of parts, and their unit prices. According tothe present system, it is possible to display on the terminals ofinformation seekers, the drawings of a product and its parts required bythe seekers, and the character data related with characters described inthe drawings.

[0052] The information providing method of this invention is a methodfor providing information provided by a plurality of informationproviders and stored in a network server, to information seekers via anetwork, comprising the steps of storing information provided by theplurality of information providers separately; conferring not only asecurity to an information seeker who seeks information from theinformation provider who gave the permission to that seeker to gainaccess to his information, but also another security to a secondinformation seeker who was given permission from the first informationseeker to directly obtain information from the provider in question;checking based on the securities fed by the first and second informationseekers whether provision of the information to those informationseekers is legal or not; and retrieving, if provision of information tothose seekers is decided to be legal, the information required by thefirst and second information seekers from the storing portion inaccordance with the securities.

[0053] Such an information providing method is achievable using theinformation providing system described above, which meets the object ofthis invention.

[0054] [Electronic Mail]

[0055] The mailing system of this invention is an electronic mailingsystem in which electronic mails are exchanged between network terminalsconnected via a network, characterized in that each network terminal isprovided with an image processing means to process an image appearing onthe display required for the preparation of an electronic mail, acompressing means to compress the file containing the electronic mailwith the processed image attached, and a decompressing means todecompress the compressed file.

[0056] According to this system configured as described above, it ispossible for each terminal to easily process an image attached to anelectronic mail without requiring any special application software forprocessing images, as long as the mailing software required for theoperation of this system is installed in both of the terminal to send amail and the terminal to receive the mail.

[0057] Because this system relieves both the sender and receiver of amail of the need for special application software for image processing,it has a sufficiently high universal applicability.

[0058] Further, according to this system, a mail is prepared as a fileto be compressed later. Therefore, this system is free from the problemotherwise encountered, that is, transmission of data will require aconsiderable time.

[0059] According to the electronic mailing system of this invention, themeans are based on respective software packages, and the networkterminal to send a mail is preferably provided with a means todistribute these software packages to the receivers of the mail.

[0060] Among the terminals to receive, for the first time, a mailprepared by the present electronic mailing system, there may be somethat depend on a conventional electronic mailing system which onlyallows the user to prepare a mail for transmission and to receive amail. Such a terminal, even if it receives an electronic mail preparedby the present system, can not open the mail to see its content.

[0061] To meet such a situation, according to this invention, when amail is sent for the first time to such a terminal as described above, asoftware package operable on this system is also sent to the terminaltogether with the electronic mail. If the receiver installs the softwarehe has received in his terminal, the present system will start in histerminal, which will allow the receiver to receive and open theelectronic mail, and further to prepare his own mail to be sent to otherterminals, or to process the image contained in the mail he hasreceived.

[0062] According to the electronic mailing system of this invention,each network terminal is preferably provided with a mailing historydisplay means for displaying, for a given mail, a list of the sender andthe receivers thereof.

[0063] Because this means allows, for a given mail, a list of the senderand the receivers thereof to be registered in each of the involvedterminals, it is possible for each of the involved terminals to easilyfollow by whom the mail was dispatched and by whom it was received.

[0064] According to the electronic mailing system of this invention,each network terminal is preferably provided with an image displayswitching means for switching the enlarged display of image to thecontracted display thereof, and vice versa.

[0065] This means allows, if it is switched to the enlarged display ofimage, the user to see the detail of an image attached to an electronicmail, or if it is switched to the contracted display of image, todisplay, for example, the texts of the mail on the extra space of thescreen produced as a result of contraction of the image.

[0066] The method of this invention for transmitting/receiving anelectronic mail is an electronic mail transmitting/receiving system inwhich electronic mails are exchanged between network terminals connectedvia a network, characterized in that a mail sender prepares anelectronic mail by processing on the screen an image to be attached tothe mail, compresses the file containing the mail with the processedimage attached before she sends the mail from her terminal, and thereceiver of the mail decompresses the compressed file at his terminalbefore he opens the mail.

[0067] Such a mail transmitting/receiving method is achievable based onthe electronic mailing system as described above, and realization of themethod will meet the object of this invention.

[0068] The computer program of this invention (or medium to record theprogram) is capable of achieving the mail transmitting/receiving methodas described above.

[0069] Realization of the aforementioned electronic mailing system basedon the use of such a program as described above will meet the object ofthis invention.

[0070] [Parts Check List]

[0071] The parts check list preparing system of this invention comprisesa means to store a database containing graphics data of the parts of aproduct, and the data of each part; a means to retrieve the graphicsdata of the parts required for the preparation of a parts check list; ameans to put on display graphics based on the graphics data thusretrieved; a means to select the graphics of the required parts fromamong the graphics put on display; a means to retrieve the data of theparts correspondent with the graphics selected on display; a means toarrange the data of the parts thus retrieved into a list, and to put thelist on display together with the graphics of the parts; and a means toautomatically prepare a parts check list based on the parts list.

[0072] The “graphics data” used herein contain image data. Accordingly,the “graphics data” contain images existing as image data. This alsoapplies to layout data and drawings described later.

[0073] According to the invention of this Application, in order toprepare a parts check list, it is only necessary for the user toretrieve the graphics data of necessary parts from the database, putthem on display, and select the graphics of the necessary parts andprepare a parts check list on display. Thus, the user is relieved of theneeds for identifying the product numbers of the necessary parts bysearching through catalogues, to copy them on a sheet of paper, and itwill become possible for the user to quickly and accurately prepare aparts check list.

[0074] Preferably the parts check list preparing system of thisinvention comprising a network server and network terminals connectedvia a network, wherein the network server comprises (A) a server sidememory means to store the titles of drawings of parts, and the graphicsdata of the drawings and the information of the parts, (B) a drawingtitle identifying means to identify the title of a drawing selected by anetwork terminal, (C) an information searching means to locate, in theserver side memory means, the graphics data correspondent with thedrawing title, and the information of the parts drawn in the drawinghaving the identified title, and to retrieve those data, and (D) aninformation delivering means to deliver the retrieved graphics data andthe information of parts as output from the network terminal, andwherein the network terminal comprises (a) a terminal side memory meansto store the graphics data and the information of parts transmitted bythe network server, (b) a graphics information acquiring means toacquire graphics data of the parts selected by that terminal from thedrawing presented on its display, (c) a parts list displaying means tolocate the information of the parts correspondent with the graphics datain the terminal side memory means, (d) a parts check list deliveringmeans to put the information of the parts thus located on display, andto insert the information into a parts list displayed in conjunctionwith said drawing, and (e) a parts check list preparing means to preparea parts check list based on the parts information in said parts list.

[0075] The network server configured as above delivers the graphics dataof a drawing selected by a user to the network terminal of that user,and allows the user to exhibit the data, for example, on the screen of adisplay at the user's network terminal. The user locates the necessaryparts on the drawing put on display, and selects them by clicking themouse. Then, the terminal machine locates and retrieves the informationof those parts based on the graphics data of those parts on display, andthe user puts the retrieved data of those parts on display as a partslist, and prepares a parts check list based on the list.

[0076] On the terminal, the user only selects necessary parts on adrawing put on display to prepare a parts list which then serves as amaterial of a parts check list, and thus the user will be relieved of acumbersome work of identifying the product numbers of those parts, andprotected against such blunders as choosing or copying wrong productnumbers. Therefore, parts check lists will be quickly and accuratelyprepared, and the efficiency of works required for preparing estimateswill be also improved.

[0077] If the parts check list thus prepared is transmitted to thenetwork server, it will be possible for the retailer or the manufacturerto receive the list via its terminal Then, the retailer or themanufacturer will be able to efficiently prepare an estimate in responseto a request from the customer.

[0078] The parts check list preparing system of this inventionpreferably includes a means to prevent the user from obtaining theinformation of parts in a duplicate manner: if there are the informationof plural parts, and the information of an assembly article comprisingthe plural parts, and a user selects both information, the means willprevent the user from obtaining only the latter information.

[0079] The plural parts constituting an assembly article are so-calledelementary parts. If the user selects, in addition to the information ofelementary parts, the information of an assembly particle comprising theelementary parts, he will selects the elementary particles in aduplicate manner.

[0080] To meet such a situation, the system of this invention is soconfigured as to allow the user, if he selects the information both ofelementary parts and of their assembly article, to obtain only theinformation of the assembly article. This arrangement will prevent theuser from gaining elementary parts in a duplicate manner, and ensure thepreparation of a reliable parts check list and secure distribution ofrequired parts.

[0081] Preferably, according to the parts check list preparing system ofthis invention, the server side memory means stores a price tablecontaining prices classified by parts, and an inventory, and the networkserver comprises a response information inserting means to locate, inthe price table and inventory, the price and stock information of theproducts to be listed in a parts check list, and to insert theinformation into the parts check list.

[0082] According to this arrangement, the stock and price informationwill be quickly retrieved from the memory means at the network server,to be inserted into a parts check list. Therefore, for example, anestimate will be easily prepared in response to a request.

[0083] The parts check list preparing system of this inventionpreferably comprises at least two network servers having differenttransmission distances from the network terminals, and the networkterminal preferably gains access to the nearest network server.

[0084] According to this arrangement, because this system is utilized bythe network terminal and the network server close to each other, theresponse of the system will be improved, and the speed of putting adrawing on display will be accelerated. If the two servers are allowedto have similar functions, it will be possible, even if one of themfails, for the other to compensate for the failed one withoutinterrupting the normal operation.

[0085] Preferably, according to the parts check list preparing system ofthis invention, a nearby network server monitors whether the graphicsdata and/or parts information stored at a distant network server isaltered, and if it detects any alteration, it updates its own graphicsdata and/or parts information in association with the alteration.

[0086] According to this arrangement, because any nearby network servera network terminal accesses always updates its own graphics data andparts information, the user will be able to securely have the latestinformation of the parts he desires inserted in a parts list, by onlyselecting the necessary parts on a drawing presented on his display,even if parts information has been altered.

[0087] Preferably, according to the parts check list preparing system ofthis invention, the parts may include the constitutive parts ofconstruction machines.

[0088] Because the construction machine is constituted of a vast numberof parts, and the part information including the production numbers ofthose parts is very complicated, utilization of this system for themanagement of the parts of construction machines will be particularlyprofitable for the improvement of clerk works.

[0089] The parts check list preparing method of this invention comprisesthe steps of retrieving graphics data of the parts required for thepreparation of a parts check list from a database containing thegraphics data of the parts and the information of those parts, putting adrawing based on the graphics data on display, selecting the parts onthe drawing on display, retrieving the parts information correspondentwith the graphics data of the selected parts, arranging the partsinformation into a list to put the list on display together with thedrawing, and automatically preparing a parts check list based on theparts list.

[0090] Such a method as above is achievable using the parts check listpreparing system described above, which meets the object of thisinvention.

[0091] The computer program of this invention (or medium to record theprogram) is characterized by allowing a computer system to execute saidparts check list preparing method.

[0092] Preparation of a parts check list based on the use of such aprogram as described above will meet the object of this invention.

[0093] [Storing Information]

[0094] The information storing system of this invention comprises animage data acquiring means to acquire information from a printed sheetas image data, a character data feeding means to feed, as input,character data related with the characters contained in the image data,a character reading means to read the characters contained in the imagedata, and a memory means to store a conversion table which contains thecharacters read by the character reading means, and the character datacorrespondent with those characters in a form mutually convertible.

[0095] According to this arrangement, if image data such as a layout forassembling related parts, and character data such as the data of theparts are printed on a sheet of paper, the image data acquiring meansacquires the image data by converting it into digital data, and thecharacter data feeding means feeds the character data as digital data,which will dispense with the need for the cost required for the purchaseof paper, printing, and storage of printed paper, thereby greatly reducethe cost.

[0096] Further, if the system allows the character reading means to readcharacters including symbols in the image data, and the characters andcharacter data thus read to be mutually connected through a conversiontable, the characters and the character data will be easily related witheach other. Therefore, it will be possible to easily identify thecharacter data correspondent with characters in image data, and, on thecontrary, to easily identify the image data containing the characterscorrespondent with the character data.

[0097] Preferably, the information storing system of this inventionfurther comprises a nominating means to nominate characters in an imageconveyed by image data; a nominated position defining means to definethe nominated position by converting the nominated position ofcharacters on the image into coordinate data; and an informationdelivering means to locate the character data whose coordinate dataapproximate said coordinate data in the memory means, and to retrievethe character data, the memory means storing, in addition to saidconversion table, another conversion table through which groups ofcharacters having correspondent coordinate data may be related with eachother.

[0098] This arrangement will make it possible, if the user nominatescharacters inserted in an image as its accessory by pointing with amouse, to cause characters having coordinate data similar to thecoordinate data of the nominated characters to be fetched based on theadditive conversion table, and character data correspondent with thecharacters thus fetched to be fetched based on the original conversiontable, or, in summing up, allow the user to automatically obtain, bysimply selecting characters on display, the character data closelyrelated with those characters. Fetching necessary information will beachieved by the information delivering means.

[0099] Preferably, according to the information storing system of thisinvention, the coordinate data defined by the character positiondefining means are determined as two dimensional area informationdefining a section surrounding the nominated characters.

[0100] According to this arrangement, an area necessary for definingnominated characters in an image may be considerably large, and thus, ifthe user wants to nominate characters, he may simply surround thecharacters and does not need to precisely define the area. Therefore,necessary characters will be easily and quickly nominated.

[0101] The information storing system of this invention furthercomprises a nominating means to nominate character data displayed as animage; a character data identifying means to identify the character datanominated by the nominating means; a nominated position defining meansto define the nominated position in terms of coordinate data; and aninformation delivering means to locate the information whose coordinatedata approximate said coordinate data in the memory means, and toretrieve that information, the memory means storing, in addition to saidconversion table, another conversion table through which groups ofcharacters having correspondent coordinate data may be related with eachother.

[0102] This arrangement will make it possible, contrary to above, if theuser initially nominates character data, to cause characters havingcoordinate data similar to the coordinate data of the nominatedcharacters to be fetched based on the initial conversion table (of claim1), and coordinate information of the characters displayed in an imageto be fetched based on the other conversion table, or, in summing up,allow the user to obtain, by simply selecting character data on display,the position data of corresponding characters in an image as coordinatedata. Fetching the necessary information will be achieved by theinformation delivering means.

[0103] The information accumulating method of this invention comprisesthe steps of acquiring information on a printed sheet as image data,feeding the character data related with the characters in an image ofthe image data, reading the characters in the image data, and a memorymeans to relate the characters read by the character reading means withthe character data and to store them related with each other.

[0104] The above information providing method is achievable by the useof such an information accumulating system, which will meet an object ofthis invention.

[0105] The computer program of this invention (or medium to record theprogram) is characterized by allowing a computer system to execute saidinformation accumulating method.

[0106] Implementing such an information accumulation system as describedabove using a program as described above will meet an object of thisinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0107]FIG. 1 is a diagram to illustrate the outline of an informationproviding system representing a first embodiment of this invention.

[0108]FIG. 2 is a block diagram to show a network server in the firstembodiment.

[0109]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram to show a memory portion of thefirst embodiment.

[0110]FIG. 4 is a flowchart to show the steps required for acquisitionof necessary information in the first embodiment.

[0111]FIG. 5 illustrates a home-page exhibited in the first embodiment.

[0112]FIG. 6 illustrates a screen through which the user feeds hisID/password in the first embodiment.

[0113]FIG. 7 illustrates how a first information seeker applies for anID/password in the first embodiment.

[0114]FIG. 8 illustrates how an information provider gives anID/password to the applicant, and puts aside a memory area for theapplicant in the first embodiment.

[0115]FIG. 9 shows a menu display of the first embodiment.

[0116]FIG. 10 illustrates how search results are given on display in thefirst embodiment.

[0117]FIG. 11 illustrates how a second information seeker applies for anID/password in the first embodiment.

[0118]FIG. 12 illustrates how the first information seeker gives anID/password to the applicant, and puts aside a memory area for theapplicant.

[0119]FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram to show the overview of anelectronic mailing system representing a second embodiment of thisinvention.

[0120]FIG. 14 shows the content of a memory kept at a network serverused in the second embodiment.

[0121]FIG. 15 is a block diagram to show network terminals used in thesecond embodiment.

[0122]FIG. 16 is a flowchart to show the flow of signals during thepreparation, transmission and receipt of an electronic mail in thesecond embodiment.

[0123]FIG. 17 illustrates how the title of a drawing is displayed on atransmitting network terminal in the second embodiment.

[0124]FIG. 18 illustrates how a drawing is displayed on a terminal inthe second embodiment.

[0125]FIG. 19 illustrates how a mail is prepared on a terminal in thesecond embodiment.

[0126]FIG. 20 illustrates how an area to which an image is to be pastedis expanded at a terminal in the second embodiment.

[0127]FIG. 21 illustrates how an edited drawing is pasted onto the imageapplicable area in the second embodiment.

[0128]FIG. 22 illustrates how the drawing is trimmed on the screen at aterminal in the second embodiment.

[0129]FIG. 23 illustrates how the trimmed drawing appears on the screenat a terminal in the second embodiment.

[0130]FIG. 24 illustrates how the edited drawing appears on the screenat a terminal in the second embodiment.

[0131]FIG. 25 illustrates how an existent image file is pasted ontoanother image applicable area at a terminal in the second embodiment.

[0132]FIG. 26 illustrates how a processed image is pasted on anotherimage applicable area in the second embodiment.

[0133]FIG. 27 illustrates how a mail is prepared which includes theedited drawing and processed image at a terminal in the secondembodiment.

[0134]FIG. 28 illustrates how the content of the mail prepared as aboveis stored in the second embodiment.

[0135]FIG. 29 illustrates how a mail is transmitted in the secondembodiment.

[0136]FIG. 30 illustrates how a response mail is prepared at areceiver's terminal in the second embodiment.

[0137]FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram to show a variant of the secondembodiment.

[0138]FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram to show the outline of a partscheck list preparing system representing a third embodiment of thisinvention.

[0139]FIG. 33 is a block diagram to show a retailer server in the thirdembodiment.

[0140]FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram to show a model table stored at theretailer server in the third embodiment.

[0141]FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram to show a type table stored at theretailer server in the third embodiment.

[0142]FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram to show a module table stored atthe retailer server in the third embodiment.

[0143]FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram to show a drawing table stored atthe retailer server in the third embodiment.

[0144]FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram to show a parts table stored at theretailer server in the third embodiment.

[0145]FIG. 39 is a schematic diagram to show an assembly article tablestored at the retailer server in the third embodiment.

[0146]FIG. 40 is a block diagram to show a host computer of the thirdembodiment.

[0147]FIG. 41 is a schematic diagram to show a price table stored by thehost computer of the third embodiment.

[0148]FIG. 42 is a block diagram to show the client terminals of thethird embodiment.

[0149]FIG. 43 is a schematic diagram to show an information table storedat the client terminal in the third embodiment.

[0150]FIG. 44 is a block diagram to show the steps introduced before andafter preparation of a parts check list according to the thirdembodiment.

[0151]FIG. 45 is a flowchart to show the flow of steps required forpreparation of a parts check list according to the third embodiment.

[0152]FIG. 46 is a flowchart continuing from that of FIG. 45.

[0153]FIG. 47 shows a screen where a model of construction machine isdisplayed according to the third embodiment.

[0154]FIG. 48 illustrates how type names are displayed in the thirdembodiment.

[0155]FIG. 49 illustrates how module names are displayed in the thirdembodiment.

[0156]FIG. 50 illustrates how drawing titles are displayed in the thirdembodiment.

[0157]FIG. 51 shows the display through which parts are selected in thethird embodiment.

[0158]FIG. 52 illustrates how a parts check list is displayed on auser's terminal in the third embodiment.

[0159]FIG. 53 shows a preview display of a parts check list displayed ona user's terminal before the list is printed in the third embodiment.

[0160]FIG. 54 illustrates how a parts check list is displayed on aretailer's terminal in the third embodiment.

[0161]FIG. 55 shows a preview display of a parts check list displayed ona retailer's terminal before the list is printed in the thirdembodiment.

[0162]FIG. 56 is a variant of the third embodiment to show how the namesof goods are displayed.

[0163]FIG. 57 is the same variant of FIG. 56 to show how the titles ofdrawings are displayed.

[0164]FIG. 58 is the same variant of FIG. 56 to show how goods areselected on display.

[0165]FIG. 59 is a block diagram to show an information accumulatingsystem representing a fourth embodiment of this invention.

[0166]FIG. 60 is a schematic diagram to show a table of drawings storedin a memory means of the fourth embodiment.

[0167]FIG. 61 is a schematic diagram to show a table for the conversionof symbol/character data stored in the memory means of the fourthembodiment.

[0168]FIG. 62 is a schematic diagram to show a table for the conversionof symbol/coordinate information stored in the memory means of thefourth embodiment.

[0169]FIG. 63 is a flowchart of the fourth embodiment.

[0170]FIG. 64 illustrates how the display works in the fourthembodiment.

[0171]FIG. 65 shows the enlarged display of the fourth embodiment forillustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0172] The preferred embodiments of this invention will be describedwith reference to attached drawings.

[0173] [First Embodiment]

[0174] FIGS. 1-12 show an information providing system 101 based on thisinvention and representing a first embodiment of this invention.

[0175] In FIG. 1, the information providing system 101 is constructedbased on network computer technology, so that information of theproducts made by manufacturers (companies) A, B, C . . . is stored as adatabase at a network server of a network 102 such as Internet, and theinformation is directly provided by the network server to sales agentsa1, b1, c1, d1 . . . , or to consumers (end-users) a2, b2, c2, d2 . . ..

[0176] The manufacturers A to C or information providers confer inadvance passwords to the sales agent a1 to d1 or first informationseekers as security keys, while the sales agents a1 to d1 confer inadvance user IDs and other passwords than above to the end-users a2 tod2 or second information seekers on behalf of the information providers.The sales agents a1 to d1, or the end-users a2 to d2 can gain accessonly to the information of the manufacturers as admitted by the passwordconferred to them.

[0177] As shown in FIG. 2, the network server 110 comprises a controlmeans 111 consisting of a CPU and memory, and a memory means 112consisting of a hard disk or a temporary recording medium, and canexchange information via the network 102 with the terminals 120 ofmanufacturers A, B, C . . . , terminals 130 of sales agents a1, b1, c1,d1 . . . , and terminals 150 of end-users a2, b2, c2, d2 . . . ofFIG. 1. The terminals 120, 130 and 150 may include, in addition to thoseconnected through cables with the network 102, various wireless mobiletools such as portable telephones, PHSs, personal computers with awireless communication function.

[0178] The control means 111 of network server 110 comprises anID/password conferring means 1111 based on a software package achievableby the CPU, an ID/password writing means 1112, an ID/password checkingmeans, and an information searching/acquiring means 1114.

[0179] The memory means 112 comprises a storage portion 1121 allocatedto manufacturer A, storage portion 1122 allocated to manufacture B,storage portion 1123 allocated to manufacturer C (other storage portionsmay be added as needed), and a common storage portion 1124.

[0180] The ID/password conferring means 1111 of control means 111 has afunction to check, if any one of the sales agents a1 to d1 or of theend-users a2 to d2 connected to this system 101 gains access to thehome-page of any one of manufacturers A to C, with a view to obtaininformation of that manufacturer, whether or not it is the first accessfor the sales agent or the end-user.

[0181] Further, the ID/password conferring means 1111, if it finds theaccess is firstly made by any one of the sales agent a1 to d1, assignsthe judgement whether or not the access should be permitted, tomanufacturers A to C. The same means, if it finds the access is firstlymade by any one of the end-users a2 to d2, assigns the judgement whetheror the access should be permitted, to sales agents a1 to d1. If themeans is informed of the access by the sales agent or by the end-userbeing permissible, it will confer an user ID and password to the salesagent or to the end-user so that the sales agent or the end-user mayobtain information directly from the manufacturer.

[0182] The ID/password writing means 1112 has a function to relate, ifany one of the sales agents a1 to d1, or of the end-users a2 to d2 ispermitted to gain access to the information of one of the manufacturers)and is given a user ID and password, the sales agent or the end-usergiven a unique ID and password with the manufacturer, and register theserelated data into a common storage portion 1124.

[0183] The ID/password checking means 1113 has a function to compare, ifany one of the sales agents a1 to d1, or of the end-users a2 to d2 whohas given a user ID and password gains access to the home-page of one ofthe manufacturers to obtain information, the user ID and password, andthe name of the manufacturer to which access is made fed by the salesagent or the end-user, with the previously registered corresponding datastored in the common storage portion 1124.

[0184] The information searching/acquiring means 1114 has a function tolocate, if the user ID and password, and the name of the manufacturer towhich access is made fed by the sales agent or by the end-user proved tobe valid, the information sought by the sales agent or by the end-userin the storage portion allocated to the manufacturer, and to fetch theinformation.

[0185] The storage portions 1121 to 1123 of the memory means 112allocated to the manufacturers store information the manufacturers A toC make available to network users. For example, the storage portion 1121allocated to manufacturer A of construction machines is shown in FIG. 3.The data of products such as drays, bulldozers, wheel loaders, hydraulicshovels, etc. are stored in storage areas A1-1, A1-2, A1-3 . . . ; thedata of constitutive parts such as the names, identification Nos., unitprices, graphics data of those parts in storage areas A2-1, A2-2, A2-3 .. . ; and the document data such as instruction manuals of the products,standard manuals of maintenance works, manuals for service management,reports of service request, etc. in storage areas A3-1, A3-2, A3-3 . . .In the storage portions 1122 and 1123 allocated to manufacturers B andC, the stored data, though different in their contents, are similarlydivided into a number of packets, and placed in appropriate storageareas.

[0186] The common storage portion 1124 stores, as mentioned above, theuser IDs and passwords conferred to sales agents a1 to d1, and toend-users a2 to d2 (information seekers), and the IDs of manufacturersrelated with the IDs and passwords of the information seekers.

[0187] The password conferred by the manufacturer to the sales agent themanufacturer directly deals with is coupled with a license notifyingwhat kinds of information may be permitted to the sales agent, and isstored as such in the storage area allocated to the manufacturer.According to this arrangement, it is possible, for example, formanufacturer A to permit sales agent a1 to gain access, with regard tothe information of products and documents, to storage areas A1-1, A1-2,A1-3 and A1-4, and A3-1, A3-2, A3-3 and A3-4 out of the storage areasallocated to him, and restrict the agent's access, with regard to theinformation of parts, to storage areas A2-1, A2-2 and A2-4, prohibitingthe agent's access to storage area A2-3 which stores the priceinformation of parts which requires higher secrecy.

[0188] The password conferred by the sales agent to the end-user thesales agent directly deals with is also coupled with a license notifyingwhat kinds of information may be permitted to the end-user, and isstored as such in the storage area allocated to the manufacturer towhich the access by the end-user is permitted. According to thisarrangement, it is possible, for example, for sales agent a1 to permitend-user a2 to gain access, with regard to the information of productsand parts, to storage areas A1-1, A1-2, A1-3 and A1-4, and A2-1, A2-2,A2-3 and A2-4 according to the license given in advance by themanufacturer, and restrict the end user's access, with regard to theinformation of documents, to storage areas A3-1, A3-2 and A3-3,prohibiting the end user's access to storage area A3-4 which stores theinformation of service requests which should be shared only by themanufacturer and the sales agent a1.

[0189] According to this arrangement, even if sales agent a1 tries toobtain information from manufacturer A using a password given to him bymanufacturer A, he could not obtain information of the price of parts.However, the information stored in storage area A2-3 which requires highsecrecy may be accessible from a number of terminals within the premiseof manufacturer A, and may be shared by several different departments ofmanufacturer A.

[0190] If end-user a2 tries to obtain information from manufacturer Ausing a password given to him by sales agent a1, she could not obtaininformation of the service requests, as well as information of the unitprices of parts.

[0191] For a given sales agent or end-user, his pass-word and thestorage areas of manufacturer to which his access is permitted arestored in the common storage portion 1124.

[0192] [Operation of First Embodiment]

[0193] The flow of information between the manufacturer and the salesagent according to this system 101 will be described below withreference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, and to the monitor screens of thesales agent terminal 130 shown in FIGS. 5 to 10. For the convenience ofillustration, let's assume manufacturer A of construction machinesrepresents an information provider, and sales agent a1 who is assignedthe sale of A's products represents an information receiver, and thestorage portions 1121 to 1123 at server 110 allocated to themanufacturers completed the registration of necessary data.

[0194] At ST (step) 101 of FIG. 4, sales agent a1 gains access to thehome-page of this system 101 via Internet, and then network server 110causes the terminal 130 of sales agent a1 to present the home-pagedisplay as shown in FIG. 5. Next, sales agent a1, thinking he can getnecessary information from manufacturer A, selects “manufacturer A” byclicking a mouse.

[0195] Actually, display data to give a display 141 are fetched from thecommon storage portion 1124, and stored temporarily in a memory withinthe server 110, and the terminal 130 receives it via network 102 andputs it to display using viewer software. Following displays areobtained in a similar manner. A hard disk at the terminal 130 to storethe viewer software or a commercially available CD-ROM to store theviewer software is also included in the recording medium of thisinvention.

[0196] At ST 102, the ID/password conferring means of network server 110causes the terminal 130 of sales agent to present a display throughwhich the ID/password is fed as shown in FIG. 6. If sales agent a1 triesto gain access to manufacturer A for the first time, the agent has nouser ID and password, and thus will give up the trial and return to thehomepage display 141, or make a user registration to be given a user IDand password from manufacturer A. If sales agent a1 is already given anID and password from manufacturer A, he feeds the ID and password.

[0197] ST 103 shows a step sales agent a1 takes, if he wantsmanufacturer A to register him as a user of the information provided bymanufacturer A, and selects “user registration” on display 142. Then,the ID/password conferring means 1111 causes the sales agent's terminal130 to present a display 143 through which request for ID/password isfed as shown in FIG. 7. Sales agent a1 feeds desirable user ID andpassword, and the address and telephone number of the applicant in theappropriate spaces of the display 143, gives a check mark on the blockrepresenting sales agent, and selects “OK.” Then, the ID/passwordconferring means 11 causes the terminal 120 of manufacturer A to presenta display 144 containing the same content as the data fed via thedisplay 143 as well as the content of corresponding storage areacontaining the requested ID/password.

[0198] At ST 104, manufacturer A determines, based on the data presentedon the display 144, whether or not provision of information to salesagent al should be permitted. If manufacturer A determines no permissionwill be given to sales agent a1, he selects “no permission.” Then, theID/password conferring means 1111 causes the terminal 130 of sales agental to return to the home-page 141 where a message of “no permission” isalso displayed. On the other hand, if manufacturer A decides to givepermission to sales agent a1 for gaining access to his information,manufacturer A determines appropriate storage areas to which sales agental should be permitted to gain access, and informs sales agent a1 of thepermitted storage areas via display 144.

[0199] Manufacturer A, before giving permission to sales agent a1 forgaining access to his information, refers to a table stored in histerminal 120 which contains the sales agents he is dealing with, andchecks whether or not sales agent a1 really exists in the table.

[0200] At ST 105, permission is actually given to sales agent a1. Here,the ID/password writing means 1112 writes the authorized user ID andpassword of sales agent a1 into the common storage portion 1124 whichserve as a token when sales agent a1 wants to obtain informationdirectly from manufacturer A. Moreover, the ID/password writing means1112 informs sales agent a1 through display of the latter's terminal 130of his application being accepted by manufacturer A as well as of theauthorized user ID and password. Now, conferring of a user ID andpassword to sales agent a1 by manufacturer A is completed. Then, theprocedure will advance to ST 107.

[0201] Turning back to ST 102, if sales agent a1 is already given an IDand password by manufacturer A, sales agent a1 feeds the ID and passwordin appropriate spaces on display 142 of FIG. 6.

[0202] At ST 106, the ID/password checking means 1113 compares the IDand password fed by sales agent a1 with the data stored in the commonstorage portion 1124, thereby to check whether sales agent a1 is rightlyqualified for gaining access to the information of manufacturer A. Ifthe means finds sales agent a1 is not rightly qualified, the meansinforms sales agent a1 of it through the display of terminal 130 ofsales agent a1, and prompts the reentry of necessary data. If the meansfinds sales agent a1 is rightly qualified, the procedure will advance toST 107.

[0203] At ST 107, the information searching/acquiring means 1114 ofserver 110 causes the display 130 of sales agent a1 to present a menudisplay 145 as shown in FIG. 9. Sales agent a1 selects one among theproduct information, parts information and document informationmanufacturer A is ready to provide. Let's assume sales agent a1 selects“parts information.” Then, the information searching/acquiring means1114 presents a display carrying spaces to receive words or items (notillustrated here) by which one can locate necessary data, and promptssales agent a1 to feed appropriate words such as the name or ID No. ofparts.

[0204] At ST 108, if sales agent a1 wants to discontinue the search, hemay select “cancel” on the menu display 145. Then, the informationsearching/acquiring means 1114 will cause the display of terminal 130 toreturn to home-page display 141.

[0205] At ST 109, if the information searching/acquiring means 1114finds appropriate words are fed by sales agent a1, it will search thedata including those words through the storage portion 1121 allocated tomanufacturer A, fetch the data and cause the terminal 130 to display thedata. FIG. 10 illustrates how “201-30-72140” is fed as the ID number ofa part whose information is desired on a search display, and how thesearch result is presented on display 146.

[0206] As shown in display 146 of FIG. 10, according to this embodiment,if the ID number of a part is fed, a drawing of a module containing thepart identified by that number, and a list of all the parts contained inthe module are displayed simultaneously on the display of terminal 130.

[0207] Here, the drawing 1461 comprises image data in the form of a bitmap file, and characters or symbols attached to the parts of drawing1461 correspond with index (IDX) numbers in the parts list 1462. Thus,if the user selects, for example, a part with a number “2” in drawing1461 by pointing and clicking a mouse, the number “2” will turn to“(1),” and the parts information of a part in the parts list whose IDXnumber is 2 will be automatically highlighted, for example, by changingtheir color. The ID No. of the part in drawing 1461 may be convertedfrom “2” to “(2)” in association.

[0208] This will be achieved by allowing an OCR (optical characterreader) to read characters attached to each part existing as image data(display 1461), and to relate the thus deciphered characters with theIDX number, ID number, and name of the part, its use number, and itsunit price. A software package required for this function is stored inthe memory means 112, and put into action under the control of controlmeans 111.

[0209] As described above, when sales agent a1 obtains necessaryinformation such as the data of parts on search result display 146, hemay click the check mark at the upper right corner of display to returnto search start display (not illustrated here), and restart a search asneeded, or end the search to return to home-page 141.

[0210] If sales agent a1 deals with manufacturers B and C, as well aswith manufacturer A, he can obtain information from those manufacturesthrough the same procedures as are taken with regard to manufacturer A,and sales agents b1 to d1 can similarly obtain information frommanufacturers they are directly dealing with. Thus, no furtherdescription will be given on this point.

[0211] Next, turn to the flow of information between the manufacturerand the end-user according to this system 101. Here description will begiven only about ST 102 to 105 out of ST 101 to 109. This is because ST101 and ST 106 to 109 will be easily understood by substituting salesagent a1 in the above explanation for end-user a2.

[0212] At ST 102 of FIG. 4, the ID/password conferring means 1111 atnetwork server 110 causes the end-user's terminal 150 to present adisplay 142 prompting the entry of ID and password (FIG. 6). If end-usera2 tries to gain access to manufacturer A for the first time, theend-user has no user ID and password, and thus will give up the trialand return to the homepage display 141, or make a user registration tobe given a user ID and password from sales agent a1. If end-user a2 isalready given an ID and password from sales agent a1, she feeds the IDand password.

[0213] At ST 103, if end-user a2 wants sales agent a1 to register her asa user of the information provided by manufacturer A, and selects “userregistration” on display 142, the ID/password conferring means 1111causes the end-user's terminal 150 to present a display 163 throughwhich request for ID/password is fed as shown in FIG. 9. End-user a2feeds desirable user ID and password, and her address and telephonenumber in the appropriate spaces of the display 163, gives a check markon the block representing the user of products, and selects “OK.” Then,the ID/password conferring means 11, in response to the check mark givento the block representing the user of products, causes the terminal 130of sales agent a1 to present a display 164 informing that theID/password is accepted, and accessible storage areas are determined asshown in FIG. 10.

[0214] At ST 104, sales agent a1 determines, based on the data presentedon display 164, whether or not provision of information to end-user a2should be permitted. If sales agent a1 determines no permission will begiven to end-user a2, he selects “no permission.” Then, the ID/passwordconferring means 1111 causes the terminal 150 of end-user a2 to returnto the home-page 141 where a message of “no permission” is alsodisplayed. On the other hand, if sales agent a1 decides to givepermission to end-user a2 for gaining access to the information, salesagent a1 determines appropriate storage areas to which end-user a2should be permitted to gain access, and informs end-user a2 of thepermitted storage areas via display 164.

[0215] Sales agent a1, before giving permission to end-user a2 forgaining access to the information, refers to a table stored in histerminal 130 which contains the customers he is dealing with, and checkswhether or not end-user a2 really exists in the table. Further, salesagent a1 determines storage areas to be accessed by end-user a2 byselecting as appropriate from among the storage areas to which hisaccess is permitted by manufacturer A.

[0216] At ST 105, permission is actually given to end-user a2. Here, theID/password writing means 1112 writes the authorized user ID andpassword of end-user a2 into the common storage portion 1124 which serveas a token when end-user a2 wants to obtain information directly frommanufacturer A. Moreover, the ID/password writing means 1112 informsend-user a2 through display of the latter's terminal 150 of herapplication being accepted by sales agent a1 as well as of theauthorized user ID and password. Now, conferring of a user ID andpassword to end-user a2 by sales agent a1 is completed. Then, theprocedure will advance to ST 107.

[0217] Turning back to ST 102, if end-user a2 is already given an ID andpassword by sales agent a1, end-user a2 may feed the ID and password inappropriate spaces on display 142 (FIG. 6).

[0218] If end-user a2 deals with sales agents b1 to d1, as well as withsales agent a1, she can obtain information directly from themanufacturers with which those sales agents are dealing by receivinguser IDs and passwords from those sales agents. End-users b2 to d2 cansimilarly obtain information from manufacturers. Thus, no furtherdescription will be given on this point.

[0219] [Advantages of First Embodiment]

[0220] This embodiment having features as described above will ensurefollowing advantages.

[0221] (1) According to the information providing system 101, only thesales agents (a1-d1) that are selected by the manufacturer (A-C) aregiven passwords which serve as a security key, and thus it is possiblefor the manufacturer to provide more detailed information to thoseselected sales agent than is possible with the case where information isopen to general public, and thus to more greatly satisfy the need of thesales agents (a1-d1).

[0222] (2) Further, the sales agent (a1-d1) can confer, to the end-user(a2-d2), a license or a password for gaining access to information ofthe manufacturer (A-C) on behalf of the manufacturer, and thus it ispossible for the manufacturer (A-C) to provide information to theend-user (a2-d2) based on his trust towards the sales agent (a1-d1)cultivated through direct business relations, in spite of his not havingany direct business relation with the end-user (a2-d2). This arrangementmakes it possible for the manufacturer (A-C) to dispense with the needfor performing complicated clerk works required for conferring alicense, and to provide to the end-user (a2-d2) information as detailedas that permitted to the sales agent (a1-d1).

[0223] (3) Then, because the end-user (a2-d2) is given a passwordthrough which she can directly gain access to information of themanufacturer (A-C), the end-user will be relieved of the necessity forgaining access to the sales agent (a1-d1) having direct businessrelation with the manufacturer in order to obtain information of themanufacturer (A-C), and the sales agent (a1-d1) will be relieved of thenecessity for building a database which will require a cost.

[0224] (4) If a plurality of sales agents (a1-d1) or end-users (a2-d2)want to gain access to information of a plurality of manufacturers (A-C)via network 102, they will be able to fetch necessary information fromthe storage portions 1121-1123 allocated to the manufacturers (A-C)using the information searching/acquiring means 1114 working on the samesoftware, namely, the sales agents (a1-d1) or the end-users (a2-d2) canobtain information from different manufacturers (A-C) through the sameoperation of their terminals. Accordingly, the sales agent or theend-user is relieved of complicated operations which would be otherwiserequired, and thus can more easily obtain necessary information.

[0225] (5) The storage portions 1121-1123 at server 110 allocated to themanufacturers include a plurality of areas each (for example, thestorage portion 1121 allocated to manufacturer A includes storage areasA1-1, A1-2, A1-3, . . . , A2-3, . . . , A3-1, A3-2, A3-3, . . . ), andthe sales agent (a1-d1) can gain access only to the areas that arepermitted by the manufacturer (A-C), and the end-user (a2-d2) only tothe areas that are permitted by the sales agent (a1-d1). Thus, it willbe possible for the manufacturer (A) to provide different levels ofinformation in secrecy ranking to the sales agent (a1-d1) and to theend-user (a2-d2). To put this according to this embodiment, manufacturerA can permit sales agent a1 to gain access to the information of servicerequests, while prohibiting the access to the same. information byend-user a2.

[0226] (6) Because each storage portion includes a plurality of storageareas (A1-1, A1-2, A1-3, . . . , A2-1, A2-2, A2-3, . . . , A3-1, A3-2,A3-3, A3-4 . . . ), it will be possible for the manufacturer (A-C) tostore highly confidential information such as reports of servicerequest, unit prices of parts, etc., in those areas to which access israrely made, and thus to prevent such highly confidential informationfrom leaking through the access by sales agents (a1-d1) and end-users(a2-d2).

[0227] (7) Because even highly confidential information can be stored inthe storage portion (1121-1123) allocated to the manufacturer, it willbe possible, for example, for the different departments of manufacturerA to gain access to the confidential information of their company fromtheir terminals. This encourages the sharing of common information bythe different departments of a company.

[0228] (8) The parts information of a part includes the image datathereof extracted from a drawing 1461 which includes the part inaddition to many others, and parts data such as the ID No., name andused number of that part identified from the symbol attached to theimage data. Thus, drawing 1461, and the parts data of a part relatedwith the selected symbol in drawing 1461 are simultaneously displayed,such that the sales agent (a1-d1) or the end-user (a2-d2) could have amore accurate information of that part than would be otherwise possible.

[0229] (9) Because network server 110 can manage all data accumulated inits memory, it will be possible for the manufacturer (A-C) to avoid thenecessity of managing his own stored data which will contribute to agreat reduction of cost. Further, because all information exists asdigital data, cost required for printing, mailing to sales agents(a1-d1) Or to end-users (a2-d2) which would be required if theinformation is printed on the sheets of paper will be saved, which willalso contribute to a reduction of cost.

[0230] [Variant of First Embodiment]

[0231] The information providing system/method of this invention is notlimited to the first embodiment, but may include other variants such asthe following one.

[0232] According to the first embodiment, manufacturer A providesinformation only to sales agent a1 and end-user a2. But, it is alsopossible for manufacturer A to provide information or give a license toa plurality of sales agents and end-users, or for a sales agent toobtain information from a plurality of manufacturers.

[0233] According to the aforementioned embodiment, each of the storageportions 1121 to 1123 allocated to the manufacturers includes aplurality of storage areas. However, even if the system is based on astorage portion which is not divided into any definable areas, thesystem is also included in this invention. However, the system ispreferably based on a storage portion including a plurality of definableareas, because then the advantages as mentioned in (5) and (6) abovewill be ensured.

[0234] Moreover, the information provider, first information seeker, andsecond information seeker are not restricted to the manufacturer, salesagent and end-user, respectively. They may be represented by any otherarbitrarily chosen companies and private persons. Information providedmay be of any kind, and is not restricted to the information relatedwith the parts of construction machines as in the above embodiment. Themode of display at the terminal may be modified in any desired way tofacilitate visibility and input feeding, and is not restricted to whatis shown in FIGS. 5 to 12,

[0235] [Second Embodiment]

[0236] FIGS. 13 to 31 show an electronic mailing system 201 representinga second embodiment of this invention.

[0237] The electronic mailing system 201 shown in FIG. 13 is based oncomputer network technology, and is used in this particular embodimentto exchange electronic mails between a manufacturer of constructionmachines and a plurality of sales agents assigned the sale of thoseconstruction machines.

[0238] This electronic mailing system 201 consists of a network serveron the side of the manufacturer and a plurality of network terminals 220on the side of sales agents connected with each other via a network 202such as Intranet or Internet. To the network server 210 is connected thenetwork terminal (not illustrated here) of the manufacturer.

[0239] The network server 210 serves as the mail server on the network201, and comprises a memory means 101 consisting of, for example, a harddisk (actually the memory means is incorporated in the server 210). Thememory means 101 stores a table of drawings 2102 as depicted in FIG. 14.

[0240] The drawing table 2102 stores the titles of drawings carrying thegraphics (image) data of articles and parts constituting constructionmachines, and the graphics data (image data) related with the drawingtitle as files based on a bit map format.

[0241] The network terminal 220 is constituted of a personal computerincluding a mouse and key-board, in addition to a display 220A. As shownin FIG. 15, the network terminal 220 comprises a mail receiving means221 to receive an electronic mail from server 210 via network 202; amail decompressing means to decompress an electronic mail received; amail preparing means to prepare an electronic mail, or to prepare areturn mail in response to a mail received; a compressing means tocompress a file-converted electronic mail; a transmitting means 225 tosend the electronic mail to the server 210; and a memory means 226 toserve as a recording medium consisting, for example, of a hard disk.

[0242] The mail preparing means 223 comprises an image processing means2231, image display switching means 2232 and mail history displayingmeans 2233, in addition to the means to execute basic mail function. Thefunctions of those means 2231 to 2233 will be described later.

[0243] The means 221 to 225, and 2231 to 2233 consist of softwarepackages stored in the memory means 226, and are fetched as appropriateto be executed on CPU. The mail software (mailer) used in this system201 is constituted of those software packages.

[0244] The network terminal 220 comprises a drawing display means 227.The drawing display means 227 is a software package which, if providedwith the title of a drawing, locates the drawing in the drawing table2102 stored in server 210, and causes the display 220A to present thedrawing, or, if the user selects any desired title of drawing, locatesthe drawing in the drawing table 2102 and causes the display 220A topresent it.

[0245] The network terminal (not illustrate here) of the manufactureralso comprises the means 211 to 217 and 2131 to 2133 same in basicfunctions with those attached to the terminal 220 of the sales agent(FIG. 15), and further comprises an initial software delivering means2134 attached to the mail preparing means 213 as shown by the dot-dashline of FIG. 15. The function of this initial software delivering meanswill also be described later.

[0246] [Operation of the Second Embodiment]

[0247]FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of the main procedures required for theexchange of electronic mails. FIGS. 17 to 29 show the contents presentedon the display 220A of the sales agent, while FIG. 30 the contentsdisplayed at the manufacturer's terminal.

[0248] Description will be given below with reference to FIGS. 16 to 30based on a case, for illustration, where a user finds a failed part inher construction machine, and the sales agent who sold her the machinetries to inform the manufacturer of the machine of the failure bysending him an electronic mail via this system 201.

[0249] The customer service personnel of the sales agent checks thefailure by, for example, visiting the user and watching the failurehimself, and then tries to have a drawing containing the graphics imageof the failed part on the display 220A of the network terminal 220,before he prepares an electronic mail about the failure. For thispurpose, he boots up the drawing displaying means 227 at the networkterminal 220 (FIG. 25).

[0250] The drawing displaying means 227 gains access to the networkserver 210, locates the title of the desired drawing in the drawingtable 2102 stored in the memory means 101, fetches the graphics datarelated with the title, and causes the display 220A to present thegraphics image of the drawing specified by that title. Next, thecustomer service personnel finds the graphic image of a part giving thesame profile with that of the failed part, identifies the name of thefailed part by reading the name attached to the graphics image, andselects the name by pointing and clicking with a mouse. FIG. 17 showshow “hydraulic tank” is selected as the name of a desired part.

[0251] Then, the drawing displaying means 227 downloads the graphicsdata corresponding with the selected name from the drawing table 2102 atserver 210, and stores them in its memory means 226, and causes display220A to present the drawing 230 carrying the graphics data.

[0252] According to this embodiment, the parts data of all the partsdepicted in drawing 230 are also displayed as included in the partstable 231 together with drawing 230. Namely, the data of a partincluding the ID No. and name of that part are stored in advance in theparts table of the drawing which contains the graphic data of that part;and when the name of that part is selected, the parts informationcorrespondent with that name is also displayed as listed in a partstable 231.

[0253] When a print-screen-button (not illustrated here) is pressed atthe state as depicted in FIG. 18, the display is temporarily stored asan image data in a memory means 226 (for example, in a clip-board).

[0254] What is described above is a preparatory step necessary formaking an electronic mail. The system which causes the display 220A ofthe sales agent to present drawings is not solely for the preparation ofelectronic mails, but is based on an existent system such as a drawingsearching system or parts information searching system commonlyutilizable between the manufacturer and the sales agent. This systemincorporates such an existing system for preparing electronic mails.

[0255] Accordingly, if the system does not incorporate such a system, itwill be necessary for the sales agent to search through documents suchas parts catalogues, locate the image of a required part, read the imagewith a scanner to convert it into digital data, and store the data intothe memory means 226.

[0256] However, if the sales agent sketches himself the outline of adesired part on a mail preparing display as described later, the abovepreparatory steps will be omitted.

[0257] At ST 1 of FIG. 16 (“step” will be represented by “ST” in thefollowing figures and texts), an electronic mailing system is booted up;“preparing a new mail” is selected; and then a mail preparation display241 appears on the monitor 220A as shown in FIG. 19.

[0258] On this display, the customer service personnel of the salesagent feeds necessary data such as the title, preparation No., date ofpreparation, name of company, etc. (ST 202 of FIG. 17).

[0259] If he wants to paste an image of the part extracted from thedrawing onto the mail, the customer service personnel selects“Illustration 1” or “Illustration 2” on the bottom of the display (ST203).

[0260] In this embodiment, description will be given on the assumptionthat “Illustration 2” is selected.

[0261] When “Illustration 2” is selected, the image display switchingmeans 2232 of the mail preparing means 223 expands the display area of“Illustration 2” as shown in FIG. 20. The customer service personnelselects “Pasting (P)” from “Editing” of the menu bar.

[0262] Then, the image processing means 2231 fetches the graphics datastored in the memory means 226 and places the graphic image in thedisplay area to automatically paste the image onto the mail (ST 205, ST205-1).

[0263] Later, the personnel determines whether or not the image(graphics) displayed in “Illustration 1” should be processed.

[0264] If the personnel wants to process the image, for example, toextract necessary parts from the image, thereby removing unnecessaryparts, he may surround necessary parts with dotted lines using afunction as represented in the tool bar, and select “Trinming (R)” fromthe menu bar “Editing” as shown in FIG. 22. Through this operation, onlyan image of the part that gives the same profile with the failed part isleft as shown in FIG. 23. Then, the personnel, using the functionsderivable from the tool bar, surrounds the failed site with dots, oradds an explanation of the failure with arrows introduced as needed (ST207).

[0265] As shown at ST 205-2 and ST 205-3, it is possible to paste animage file prepared in advance, or a graphics image stored in an imageprocessing application onto an electronic mail. FIG. 25 shows a casewhere an image stored in advance in the memory means 226 is pasted on“Illustration 2.” Firstly, the personnel selects “Illustration 2” on thedisplay as shown in FIG. 19, to expands it, and then fetches an imagefile “Insidecoach.bmp” from its storage place. Then, as shown in FIG.26, an image based on the fetched image file is automatically pasted onthe display area. Then, the image is processed as appropriate.

[0266] When pasting and processing of the image is completed, and thepersonnel selects “Completion” from “File” of the menu bar, the imageprocessing means 2231 causes the monitor to present the original mailpreparing display 241 as shown in FIG. 27. However, the display areas“Illustration 1” and “Illustration 2” now reduced in size by the imagedisplay switching means 2232 represent the pasted images as they arereduced in size. Such miniature display is achieved by extracting partof the original image data. The contracted image is often undefinable indetails. So, if the personnel selects any one desired display area, theimage display switching means 2232 expands the image in the selecteddisplay area as shown in FIGS. 24 and 26 (so-called thumb-nailfunction).

[0267] If the personnel wants to attach a previously prepared file to anelectronic mail (different from the simultaneous delivery as describedin claim 2), he may drag the file into a file attachment port 243 on themail preparing display 241 using a mouse (STs 208, 209 and 210).

[0268] The personnel may write a comment in a text preparation port 244of FIG. 27 such as a description of the failure of the part.Introduction of a comment may occur at any timing. Namely, it may occurbefore the processing of the image is introduced. A comment chosen froma previously prepared file may be pasted onto the text preparing port244 (STs 211 and 212).

[0269] If the personnel prepares a draft of mail, he selects “Mailtransmission (M)” of the menu bar, and performs necessary operations fortransmission. Then, as shown in FIG. 28, a window 245 for file saving isopened. The personnel attaches an appropriate name to the text justprepared, to convert it to a file, and stores it in the memory means 226(ST 213).

[0270] Then as shown in FIG. 29, a window 246 is opened by which theheader of the mail is prepared. The personnel enters necessary data suchas the address of the receiver, the theme of the mail, etc. in thewindow. The window 246 may store the addresses of customers. If thesender has a limited number of customers, and has registered theaddresses of those customers in the window, it will be possible for thesender to obtain necessary data by opening the window, and to dispensewith the need for entering the necessary data each time he must send amail to his customer. The window 246 has a salutation preparing port247, and the personnel writes a salutation into this port 247.

[0271] Then, the personnel selects “Transmission” in window 246, theelectronic mail is delivered to the address of the receiver stored inserver 210 (ST 214).

[0272] Before delivery, the electronic mail converted to a file at ST213 is compressed by the compressing means 224 as shown in FIG. 15; andthe compressed file has the header as presented in window 246 attached.The transmission log of the electronic mail is stored in the memorymeans 226.

[0273] These are the steps the sender of a mail or the sales agent musttake before he sends an electronic mail.

[0274] Then, the terminal of the mail receiver or the manufacturer, ifit finds a mail in its mailbox at server 210, receives the mail fromserver 210 and opens it (ST 215).

[0275] During this operation, the mail receiving means 211 anddecompressing means 212 at the manufacturer's terminal are booted up;the compressed file is automatically decompressed; and the electronicmail as shown in FIG. 27 is displayed subsequent to the header.

[0276] The sales personnel of the manufacturer reads the text of mail,studies the images in “Illustration 1” and “Illustration 2” by expandingthem, understands the failure accurately, and finds a proper solution.

[0277] Then, the staff of the manufacturer discuss whether or not aresponse should be sent to the sender or the sales agent (ST 216).

[0278] If they decide not to send a response, the mail is stored as ithas been received (ST 217).

[0279] If they decide to send a response, the sales personnel selects“Preparing a response” of the menu bar. Then, the mail preparing means213 at the manufacturer's terminal causes the monitor to present areturn mail preparing display 248.

[0280] The mail history displaying means 2133 causes the mail preparingdisplay 248 to give a mail data port 249, and to write “Return mail-1”in that port to indicate the currently prepared mail is the first returnmail. The mail history displaying means 2133 attaches “Return mail-2,”“Return mail-3,” in order to subsequent return mails each time they aredispatched, and if the user selects, for example, “Return mail-1,” usinga mouse, the corresponding electronic mail will be displayed.

[0281] Turning back to ST 203 of FIG. 16, a return mail is prepared bythe same procedures as described above, and the resulting mail is sentto the sales agent.

[0282] When the manufacturer sends an electronic mail to the salesagent, the initial mail delivery means 2134 is booted up. The initialmail delivery means 2134 asks through display to the sales personnel ofthe manufacturer whether or not the sales agent or the receiver of themail has received a mail from the manufacturer (represented by adot-dash line of FIG. 16, ST 218).

[0283] If the sales personnel finds the sales agent has received a mailfrom the manufacturer, he selects “Yes” on display. In this case, theelectronic mail is delivered to the address of the sales agent stored inserver 210.

[0284] If the sales personnel selects “No” on display, the initial maildelivery means 2134 delivers, as well as the electronic mail, softwarepackages equivalent in function with the decompressing means 212, mailpreparing means 213 and compressing means 214, and software necessaryfor installing those packages (ST 219).

[0285] The sales agent, provided that he installs the software packagesthus delivered into his terminal, will be able not only to open theelectronic mail, but to freely utilize the present system 201.Incidentally, the sales agent can safely receive such software packagesusing a conventional electronic mailing system he employs.

[0286] [Advantages of Second Embodiment]

[0287] This embodiment having features as described above will ensurefollowing advantages.

[0288] (1) According to the electronic mailing system 201, the mailpreparing system 213, 223 comprises an image processing means 2131,2231, and thus it is possible for the system to easily process an imageon the mail preparing display 241, 248, even if it has no applicationsoftware specially adapted for image processing.

[0289] Further, because even a network terminal having no suchapplication software can easily process an image, this system has asufficiently universal applicability.

[0290] According to this system with such a feature, it is possible forthe sales agent to quickly and accurately inform the manufacturer of thefailure such that the manufacturer can take a proper action promptly.

[0291] (2) Because the electronic mailing system 201 comprises adecompressing means 212, 222 to decompress a file-formatted electronicmail, and a compressing means 214, 224, the mail will be speedilytransmitted or received by being simply compressed as a file, and willbe securely opened by the receiver.

[0292] (3) Because the manufacturer's terminal comprises the initialsoftware delivering means 2134, it will be possible even for the salesagent that has no experience in receiving electronic mails, to open amail received through this system, by installing software packagesdelivered together with the mail via the initial software deliveringmeans 2134, and to henceforth transmit/receive electronic mails on thissystem with an ability to freely process an image attached to the mail.

[0293] (4) Because the electronic mailing system 201 comprises the mailhistory displaying means 2133, 2233, it is possible to cause the maildata port 249 on the mail preparing display 241, 248 to present thehistory of electronic mails.

[0294] Further, because the mail data port 249 allows the sales agent toselect any previously dispatched mail (for example “Return mail-1”)displayed in it, so that the sales agent can confirm the content of themail, and thus can instantly confirm the mails exchanged in the pastwith the manufacturer, it improves the convenience of this system 201.

[0295] (5) Because an image, for example, of a failed part pasted in“Illustration 1, 2” on the mail preparing display 241 is freely enlargedor contracted by the image display switching means 2132, it is possibleto enlarge the image sufficiently to allow the viewer to accuratelygrasp the detail of the failure, and to contract the image sufficientlynot to lie over the text preparing block 244 so that the viewer can readthe text in the block without being disturbed by the image.

[0296] (6) Because the image pasted in “Illustration 1, 2” is an imagederived from graphics data downloaded from the memory of server 210, orfrom a file fetched from the memory means 226, it will be unnecessary toprepare a photo or drawing, and apply a scanner onto it to convert itinto digital data, or to draw an image by hand in “Illustration 1, 2,”which will make it easy to insert an image in the text of a mail.

[0297] (7) Because at ST 205-3 of FIG. 15, it is possible to extractimage data from a digital camera or from a digital video camera to pastethem in “Illustration 1” or “Illustration 2” on the mail preparingdisplay 241, it will be possible for the sales agent to take a photo ofthe failed part using such a camera or video camera, and to insert theimage data therefrom into the mail. This will make it possible for thesales agent to send a more real image of the failure so that themanufacturer can take a more proper action for it.

[0298] [Variant of Second Embodiment]

[0299] The electronic mailing system of this invention and method fortransmitting/receiving mails is not limited to the second embodiment,but may include other variants such as the following one.

[0300] In the above embodiment, the mail preparing display includes twoareas where pasting of images is achieved, that is, “Illustration 1” and“Illustration 2.” However, such areas may be one or three or more, orany desired number appropriately selected.

[0301] In the above embodiment, description was given with respect tothe system where the terminals 220 of a plurality of sales agents andthe terminals (not illustrated here) of a plurality of manufacturers areconnected to a server 210 on the side of the manufacturers, and mailsare exchanged between the sales agents and the manufacturers. Thismailing system 201, however, may be used for the exchange of mailsbetween different sales agents.

[0302] The electronic mailing system of this invention may comprise aplurality of network servers 250 distributed over a wider network 3,each server 250 comprising a plurality of network terminals.

[0303] On the contrary, this system constructed between two personalcomputers connected with each other on an on-line basis is included inthis invention.

[0304] In summing up, provided that a plurality of terminals areconnected with each other via a network; and the mailing softwareaccording to this invention is installed in every terminal therebyforming the system of this invention, the resulting system is includedin this invention, regardless of the size and shape of the network.

[0305] Accordingly, the image to be processed may be from any desiredproduct, and any image other than that of a product can be pasted on theelectronic mail.

[0306] The network terminal to be connected to the electronic mailingsystem of this invention may include, in addition to personal computers,for example, portable telephones and PDAs (portable digital assistants)having a browser function. Such a terminal allows the user to gainaccess to the network to utilize the present system, even if the user isat a construction site where no commercial communication lines or powerlines are available.

[0307] The recording medium to be incorporated in this invention mayinclude, in addition to a hard disk to form a memory means of a networkterminal, an optical disk which may be used for storing programs to beinstalled in the hard disk, or, in short, any recording medium that canstore the computer programs necessary for running this system.

[0308] [Third Embodiment]

[0309] FIGS. 32-55 show a parts check list preparing system representinga third embodiment of this invention.

[0310] Outline of the System

[0311] The parts check list preparing system 301 shown in FIG. 32 is asystem by which to prepare a parts check list of the parts of aconstruction machine, and is intended for the user having a constructionmachine, and the sales agent dealing with the sale of such constructionmachines and their parts. Specifically, the user uses this system forpreparing a parts check list when requesting an estimate or giving anorder, while the sales agent uses this system for preparing a partscheck list when being asked to give an estimate from a user, or whenordering parts from the manufacturer.

[0312] The parts check list preparing system 301 works based on acomputer network comprising an intranet 302 or in-house networkestablished in the premise of manufacturer, an intranet 3 or similarin-house network established in the premise of sales agent, and Internet304 established over the public telecommunication lines.

[0313] To the manufacturer's intranet 302 are connected a manufacturer'shost computer 320 and the intranets 3 of a plurality of sales agents.The host computer 320 serves as the network server of the manufacturer'sintranet 302 to provide data necessary for running the parts check listpreparing system 301. To the manufacturer's intranet 302 are connected aplurality of manufacturer's network terminals (not illustrated here).

[0314] To the agent's intranet 3 are connected an agent's server 330serving as the network server, and a plurality of user's networkterminals 40 (user terminals hereinafter). The agent server 330 alsoserves as an agent to provide data necessary for running the parts checklist preparing system 301, and achieves similar functions as does thehost computer 320. To this agent's intranet 3 are connected a pluralityof agent's network terminals (not illustrated here).

[0315] The host computer 320 is more apart from the user terminal 340 interms of the communication distance while the agent's server 330 moreclose to the user terminal 340. The user terminal usually gains accessto the agent's server 330 more close in communication distance. Namely,usually the agent's server 330 serves, for the user terminal, as aso-called clone server of the host computer 320, which makes it possiblefor a parts check list to be prepared under a communication stateensuring a good response.

[0316] The host computer 320, agent's server 330, and user terminal 340all contain a browser (viewer) applicable to the networks. Therefore,provided that the user terminal 340 has a password authorizing the entryto this system, and contains the browser and software necessary forpreparing a parts check list, that terminal, even if it is not connectedto the intranets 302 and 303 but only to Internet, will be able toutilize the present parts check list preparing system 301 by gainingaccess via its provider to the host computer 320 and agent's server 330.

[0317] The host computer 320 and agent's server 330 further have a mailserver function. Manufacturer's terminals, agent's terminals and userterminals (not illustrated here) connected to the intranets 302 and 303all contain a mailing software package, and thus a parts check listprepared by a given terminal can be transmitted to any other terminals.

[0318] Agent's Server

[0319] The composition and the functions of the agent's server 330 towhich accesses from user terminals 340 are principally made will bedescribed at first.

[0320] The agent's server 330 shown in FIG. 33 comprises a means 331 foracquiring signals via a network; a control means 332 for achievingspecified controls according to the signal received by the signalacquiring means 331; a means for delivering output signals via a networkaccording to the result obtained by the control means 332; a memorymeans for storing various data and programs; and a parts check listtransmitting/receiving means for transmitting/receiving parts checklists prepared. Out of those means, the signal acquiring means 331,control means 332 and output delivering means 333 consist of computerprograms (software) executed by a CPU or the like, while the parts checklist transmitting/receiving means 335 consists of the aforementionedmailing software.

[0321] As a feature characteristic with this embodiment, the signalacquiring means 331 comprises a model name acquiring means 3311, typename acquiring means 3312, module name acquiring means 3313, and drawingname acquiring means 3314.

[0322] The control means 332 comprises a type searching means 3321,module searching means 3322, data searching means 3323, and updatingmeans 3324.

[0323] The output delivering means 333 comprises a model name deliveringmeans 3331, type name delivering means 3332, module name deliveringmeans 3333, and data delivering means 3334.

[0324] The function of these means will be described later.

[0325] The memory means 334 consists of a recording medium such as ahard disk. The recording medium stores the data conventionally containedin parts catalogues as electronic data. The data characteristic withthis embodiment may include, as shown in FIGS. 35 to 39, the tables ofmodels 3341, types 3342, modules 3343, drawings 3344, parts 3345, andassemblies 3346.

[0326] In addition, the memory means 334 stores the means 331, 332, 333and 335 which are all computer programs.

[0327] The model table 3341 shown in FIG. 34 stores the model names ofconstruction machines such as “Dray,” “Small bulldozer,” “Bigbulldozer,” etc. The type table 3342 shown in FIG. 35 stores the typesfor each model: for example, under the model of “Middle-sized hydraulicshovel,” there are types of “PC100-6 S/N4001-UP,” “PC100L-6 S/N15001-UP,” . . . .

[0328] The module table 3343 of FIG. 36 stores the name of modules foreach type: for example, the type “PC100-6 S/N 40001-UP” is constitutedof such modules as “Fuel tank and related parts,” “Electric system,” . .. .

[0329] The drawing table 3344 shown in FIG. 37 stores the titles ofdrawings carrying the graphics data of the modules, and the graphicsdata. For example, the modules for “Footwork” are included in a numberof drawings such as “Truck shoe (flat type),” “Truck shoe (triplegeared)(#31152),” . . . . The graphics data are stored as bit map files.

[0330] The parts table 3345 shown in FIG. 38 stores, for all the partswhose graphics data are stored in the drawings, their ID Nos., names,and used numbers together with their indices. For example, the drawingdepicting footwork modules titled “Truck roller (#52374-)” stores thegraphics data of the parts such as “201-30-00291,” “201-30-72371,”.together with the indices such as “A,” “1,” . . . . Two parts in theparts table 3345 having the same name but different ID Nos. aredistinguished by different indices attached to them. The assembly table3346 stores the ID Nos. and names of pieces for each assembly. Forexample, “201-30-00291” of the parts table 3345 is an assembly which isconstituted of pieces such as “201-30-72371,” “201-30-72371,”“201-30-72410,” . . . .

[0331] Host Computer

[0332] As shown in FIG. 40, the host computer 320 is basically composed,like the agent's server 330, of a signal acquiring means 321, controlmeans 322, output delivering means 323, memory means 324 consisting of ahard disk to serve as a recording medium, and a parts check listtransmitting/receiving means 325 or mailing software. The control means322 of host computer 320 comprises a response preparing means 3221.

[0333] The function of the response preparing means 3221 will bedescribed later.

[0334] The memory means 324 stores, in addition to the tables stored atthe agent's server 330, a price table 3241 as shown in FIG. 41. Theprice table 3241 stores the price for each of the parts constituting aconstruction machine, together with the ID No. and name of that part.The memory means 324 further stores a stock table 3242 (FIG. 46). Thestock table (not illustrated here) stores the number of stored goods atthe manufacturer. However, the price table 3241 and stock table 3242 maybe stored in the agent's server as appropriate according to theircontent.

[0335] In addition, the memory means 324 stores the means 321, 322, 323and 325 which are all computer programs.

[0336] The tables stored in the memory means 324 are updated whenevertheir data are altered, and thus they contain latest data. For example,if the ID No. of a part is altered, the corresponding ID No. stored in atable is substituted for the new No. and index data attached to the oldID No. is transferred to the new ID No. If the shape of a part ischanged, the corresponding graphics data stored in a drawing is changedaccordingly.

[0337] User Terminal

[0338] The user terminal 340 has functions to acquire necessaryinformation about a desired part via a network, and to prepare a partscheck list based on the information, and consists of a personalcomputer. Specifically, the user terminal 340 comprises an informationacquiring means 341, control means 342, output delivering means 343, amemory means consisting of a hard disk to serve as a recording medium,and a parts check list transmitting/receiving means 345 or mailingsoftware. Incidentally, the network terminal (not illustrated here) ofthe manufacturer or of the sales agent has the same configuration asdoes the user terminal.

[0339] As a feature characteristic with this embodiment, the informationacquiring means 341 comprises a character data acquiring means 3411 andgraphics data acquiring means 3412.

[0340] The control means 342 comprises a data writing means 3421, partslist preparing means 3422, double selection preventing means 3423, andparts check list preparing means 3424.

[0341] The output delivering means 342 comprises a parts list deliveringmeans 3431 and parts check list delivering means 3432.

[0342] The memory means 344 stores the data tables 3441 as shown in FIG.43. In addition, the memory means 324 stores the means 341, 342, 343 and345 which are all computer programs.

[0343] The functions of those means, and the data table 3441 will bedescribed later.

[0344] [Operation of Third Embodiment]

[0345] According to this embodiment, following procedures will ensue.Preparation of a parts check list by a user and its transmission orreception of such a list FIG. 44 shows the procedures necessary forpreparing a parts check list using the present system 301, divided intoa number of blocks to give an overview of the system operation. FIGS. 45and 46 are flowcharts to show the principal procedures necessary forpreparing a parts check list. FIGS. 47 to 55 show the displays presentedon the monitor 340A of the user terminal 340.

[0346] The procedures necessary for preparing a parts check list will bedescribed with reference to those figures, and further the functions ofmeans 3311-3314, 3321-3324, and 3331-3334 in agent's server 330, of theresponse preparing means 3221 in host computer 320, and of means 3411,3412, 3421-3424, 3431 and 3432 in user terminal 340 will be described inassociation.

[0347] Firstly, turning to block 1 (“block” will be represented by “BL”in the figures and texts hereinafter) of FIG. 44, when the system 301 isactivated, the model name delivering means 3331 of agent's server 330fetches the model names of construction machines from the model table3341 stored in the memory means 334, and causes the user terminal 340 topresent a display 340A as shown in FIG. 47.

[0348] Seeing this, the user selects a model that may possibly contain apart she wants to get, using a mouse 40B or input feeding device. InFIG. 47, a “hydraulic shovel, middle-sized” is selected.

[0349] The agent's server 330 receives signals carrying the data of“hydraulic shovel, middle-sized” via the model name acquiring means3311. The type searching means 3321 of the control means 332 searchesthrough the type table 3342 for the name of type corresponding with themodel name, and fetches it. Then, the type name delivering means 3332delivers the name of type to the user terminal 340 to give a display340A as shown in FIG. 48 where the name is represented as an element ina hierarchical structure.

[0350] The user selects a type that may possibly contain the part shewants to get. In FIG. 48, the type “PC300-6 S/N 30001-UP” is selected.

[0351] Agent's server 330 receives signals carrying the data of “PC300-6S/N 30001-UP” via the type name acquiring means 3312. The modulesearching means 3322 searches through the module table 3343 for the nameof module corresponding with the type name, and fetches it. Then, themodule name delivering means 3333 delivers the name of module to theuser terminal 340 to give a display 340A as shown in FIG. 49 to show thename.

[0352] Finding the part she needs constitutes a footwork device, sheselects “Footwork” on display.

[0353] Agent's server 330 receives signals carrying the data of thefootwork device via the module name acquiring means 3313. Theinformation searching means 3323 searches through the drawing table 3344for the drawings carrying the graphics data of the module hereconcerned, and fetches them. Then, the information delivering means 3334delivers the titles of the drawings to the user terminal 340 to give adisplay 340A as shown in FIG. 50.

[0354] The user selects the title “Truck roller (#52374)” whichrepresents a drawing carrying the graphics data of the part she needs.

[0355] Agent's server 330 receives signals carrying the title of drawing“Truck roller (#52374)” via the drawing title acquiring means 3314. Theinformation searching means 3323 searches through the drawing table 3344for the corresponding graphics data, and fetches them. Then, theinformation delivering means 3334 delivers the graphics data to the userterminal 340 to give a display as shown in FIG. 51 where layouts basedon the graphics data are shown on the left side.

[0356] Further, agent's server 330 acquires a drawing titled “Truckroller (#52374)” via the drawing title acquiring means 3314. Theinformation searching means 3323 searches through the parts table 3344for the data of parts depicted in the drawing such as their ID Nos.,names, used numbers, etc., and fetches them. Then, the informationdelivering means 3334 delivers the data to the user terminal 340 to givea display as shown in FIG. 51 where the data are given as a table 351 atthe middle stage of the right column beside the layouts 350. The symbolattached to the layout 350 representing a part is correspondent with theindex data attached to the same part listed in the table 351.

[0357] The above procedures are mainly achieved between the userterminal 340 and the agent's server 330 based on the browser function ofuser terminal 340. The subsequent procedures are mainly achieved solelyby the user terminal 340 mainly based on the parts check list preparingsoftware (including means 3422-3424, 3431 and 3432) installed in theuser terminal 340.

[0358] Firstly at step 1 of FIG. 45 (“step” will be represented by “ST”in the following figures and texts), the user terminal 340 acquires thegraphics data, index data, ID No., name, used number of the part hereconcerned from agent's server 330 via the character data acquiring means3411 or one element of the information acquiring means 341. Theinformation writing means 3421 of control means 342 stores these data inthe memory means 344 as a data table 3441 as shown in FIG. 43. Thegraphics data are divided by individual parts, and classified separatelyas bit map files.

[0359] Later, the parts list preparing means 3422 of control means 342fetches a list template stored in advance in the memory means 344, anddelivers it to the display 340A via the parts list delivering means suchthat a list of parts 352 is presented at the lower stage of right columnbeside the layout 350 and table 351. These are the procedures executedin BL1.

[0360] In BL2 of FIG. 44, the user identifies the part she needs in thelayout 350, and selects the symbol attached to the part using a mouse40B. The user may select the line enclosing the part. In FIG. 51, a partidentified by symbol “2” is selected. The system is preferably soconfigured as to allow the selected symbol to be circled (FIG. 51), ormarked with a line or arrow, or the part to change its color or shade,so that the selected part may be easily noted, and that the occurrenceof duplicate selection may be safely prevented.

[0361] The graphics data acquiring means 3412 at the user terminal 340acquires the graphics data of a part identified by the symbol “2” whichis selected. In BL3, the parts list preparing means 3422 searchesthrough the data table 3411 for the ID No., name and used number of thepart correspondent with the graphics data now acquired, and fetchesthem. The parts list delivering means 3431 delivers the fetched data tothe user terminal 340 to insert them into the parts list 352. Notably,the parts list delivering means 3431 of this embodiment also hasfunctions to cause the monitor to display the name of models and typescontaining the part in the parts list 352, or to display cells for theentry of “unit price,” or “purchase price” (ST 302 of FIG. 45 iscompleted).

[0362] In BLs 6 and 7, the double selection preventing means 342 of userterminal 340 checks whether or not the user acquires, in addition to thedata of an assembly, the data of a piece constituting the assembly. Ifthe user selects, in addition to an assembly, a piece constituting theassembly, the same piece will be doubly selected, which poses a problem.If the double selection preventing means 3423 finds the user selects asame piece doubly, it eliminates the piece from the parts list 352,thereby leaving only the assembly, and preventing double acquisition ofthe data of the piece.

[0363] For example, if the user selects a piece identified by symbol “2”in layout 350, thereby causing the display to give a parts list 352containing the parts data identified by “211-30-72410,” and then selectsan assembly identified by symbol “A” containing the same pieceidentified by “211-30-72410,” the parts data of the piece identified by“211-30-72410” will be eliminated, and only the parts data of assemblyidentified by symbol “A,” such as ID No.—“201-30-00291,” name—“Truckroller assembly,” etc. will be left.

[0364] In BL 8, a parts check list is prepared. When the monitor of theuser terminal 340 gives a display as shown in FIG. 51, the user selects“Transmission of parts check list to sales agent” in the memo presentedon the upper part of Table 351. Then, the parts check list preparingmeans 3424 fetches the template for parts check list from the memorymeans 344, and the parts check list delivering means 3432 causes themonitor to present this template as a parts check list 360 as shown inFIG. 52.

[0365] At this stage, however, all the cells of parts check list 360remain blank.

[0366] The user then selects “Fetching data (R)” from the menu bar onthe screen.

[0367] In response to this, the parts check list preparing means 3424fetches the parts data cited in the parts list 352, and the parts checklist delivering means 3432 causes the parts check list 360 to be filledwith those data.

[0368] The user then inserts the date of preparing the parts check list360, the name of author, or other necessary data into appropriate cells,to complete the parts check list 360 (completion of ST 303).

[0369] Because the user must further elaborate the parts check list 360,description will be given of the subsequent procedures from the side ofthe user (completion of ST 304).

[0370] In BLs 9 and 10, the user may print the parts check list 360prepared in BL 8 to keep it as a document, or save it in the hard disk.To print the parts check list 360, the user may select “File” on themenu bar on the display as shown in FIG. 52, and select “Print” from thepull-down menu. FIG. 53 shows a preview display of the parts check list360 to be printed by the user (completion of STs 305 and 306).

[0371] On the other hand, in BLs 11 to 13, if the user requests anestimate from the sales agent, or orders a part from the sales agent,she boots up the parts check list transmitting/receiving means 345consisting of mailing software. The parts check listtransmitting/receiving means 345 transmits the parts check list 360 tothe address of the sales agent stored in the agent's server 330, andstores the transmission log in the terminal 340 (completion of ST308).

[0372] Procedures Taken by Sales Agent and Manufacturer for HandlingParts Check List

[0373] How the parts check list will be handled by the sales agent andthe manufacturer will be described with reference again to FIGS. 44 to46.

[0374] In BL 14 of FIG. 44, the customer service personnel of the salesagent manipulates a terminal connected to the in-house intranet 3, toreceive the parts check list 360 from the agent's server 330, and, in BL15, causes the monitor to display the parts check list as shown in FIG.54. The personnel finds the parts check list 360 is delivered by theuser as a prerequisite for an estimate, and spaces for the unit prices,sums, availability, and scheduled date of delivery of the parts remainblank.

[0375] Then, the personnel selects “On-line writing” on the menu bar onthe display as shown in FIG. 54. In response to this, the terminaltransfers the parts check list 360 to the manufacturer's host computer320 via bridge software (completion of ST 309).

[0376] In BSs 16 and 17, the manufacturer's host computer 320 receivesthe parts check list 360 via bridge software. Then, the responsepreparing means 3221 of control means 322 searches through the pricetable 3241 and storage table 3242 for the unit price and storage of theparts described in the parts data of the parts check list 360, andfetches them and copies them in the parts check list 360 (completion ofST 310).

[0377] Later, the host computer 320 sends back the parts check list 360whose blank spaces have been completely filled to the agent's server 330via bridge software (completion of ST 311 of FIG. 46).

[0378] Again in BL 15, the sales agent receives the parts check list360, displays it as shown in FIG. 54 (at this stage, the unit price,sum, availability and scheduled date of delivery of the parts areinserted), and enters necessary data such as the date of preparation,name of author, etc. (completion of ST 312).

[0379] Then, in BLs 18 and 19, the personnel checks whether or not theparts check list 360 should be printed. If he finds it should beprinted, he will print it and keep it as a document. FIG. 55 shows apreview display of the parts check list 360 to be printed by the agentpersonnel (completion of STs 312 and 315).

[0380] Then, or if the personnel concludes the printing is notnecessary, in BLs 20 and 21, the personnel uses the parts check list 360as an estimate, and transmits it to the user via thetransmitting/receiving means (mailing software). For this purpose, thepersonnel may only notify the user's address written as the sender ofthe list before transmission.

[0381] If the personnel sends the parts check list as a conventionalletter, he may prepare the printed parts check list 360 as a letter topost, and store the parts check list 360 as digital data (completion ofSTs 316-320).

[0382] Next, the user studies the data such as sum and scheduled date ofdelivery described in the parts check list 360 returned as an estimate,and, if she finds no problem in it, sends it again to the sales agent,using it now as an order. The procedures taken for the transmission arethe same with those described with respect to BLs 11-13.

[0383] Because the parts check list 360 the sales agent receives in BL14 now carries the data such as sums, etc., the agent transfers it tothe host computer 320 in BL 22, to order the parts from themanufacturer. The procedures required for the transference of partscheck list 360 to the manufacturer are the same with those as describedwith respect to BLs 11-13 (completion of ST 321 of FIG. 45).

[0384] If, for example, the sales agent himself stores parts in hiswarehouse, and determines himself the prices of them, it is notnecessary for him to gain access to the host computer 320 to obtain thedata about the price and availability of the parts described in the listsent by the user for estimation, or it is only necessary for him torespond to the user's request based on the price determined by him andthe stock condition of his warehouse. Further, if all the parts listedin the user's order are stored in the agent's warehouse, the agent doesnot need to order the parts from the manufacturer, but just gather therequired parts in the warehouse to deliver them to the user (same withthe “Delivery” of BL 22).

[0385] Sometimes, the manufacturer modifies certain parts in their shapeor in their material, to improve thereby their reliability. Then, themanufacturer updates the drawing table and parts table stored in thehost computer 320 by correcting graphic data and ID Nos. as appropriate.

[0386] Such updating is monitored by an updating means 3324 at theagent's server 330. The updating means 3324, whenever updating isintroduced in the host computer 320, automatically downloads the updateddata, and transfers them to the agent's server 330 to update thecorresponding drawing table 3344 and parts table 3345 there.

[0387] [Advantages of Third Embodiment]

[0388] Following advantages will be ensured according to thisembodiment.

[0389] (1) According to the parts check list preparing system 301, inorder to prepare a parts check list to be attached to a request for anestimate or to an order, the user simply causes the monitor 340A ofterminal 340 to present a drawing 350 carrying the layout of a necessarypart and selects the part on drawing 350 using a mouse 40B. Then, aparts check list 360 is automatically prepared based on the ID No. ofthe selected part. Accordingly, the user will be relieved of laboriousworks such as searching through parts lists using the ID No. and name ofparts as a clue, or copying of the found data, etc.

[0390] (2) The user terminal 340 contains the double selectionpreventing means 3423, which can eliminate, even if the user selects anassembly and a piece constituting the assembly at the same time, theparts data of piece, to leave thereby only the parts data of assembly.Therefore, selecting, in addition to an assembly, a piece constitutingthe assembly will be securely prevented.

[0391] (3) The manufacturer's host computer 320 stores the price table3241 listing the price data of parts, and the storage table 3242 listingthe stock data, and it further comprises the response preparing means3221 to copy those data into a parts check list 360. Therefore, it willbe possible for the sales agent, when he receives a parts check list 360attached to a request for an estimate from a user, to transfer it as itis to the manufacturer's host computer 320, to thereby allow thecomputer to copy the necessary data into the parts check list 360 toturn the list to an estimate, and to quickly deliver the estimate basedon accurate data. This will improve efficiency of the work required forthe preparation of an estimate.

[0392] (4) Because the user terminal 340 obtains data necessary forpreparing a parts check list 360 from the nearby agent's server 330, theresponse characteristics of communication is better than would bepossible if the user terminal obtains data from the remotemanufacturer's host computer 320. Thus, the drawing 350 and table 351will be more speedily displayed, and the parts check list 360 beprepared more quickly.

[0393] (5) Because both the host computer 320 and the agent's server 330have the same function, and include a database of the same content, itwill be possible for the host computer 320 to back up the agent's server330, even if the agent's server 330 is used up in the frequent accessesfrom users, or the data of agent's server are destroyed as a result ofaccident. Therefore, unexpected failure of the system will be safelyavoided.

[0394] In addition, because the sales agent is relieved of the necessityof preparing a back-up for the database, the agent's server 330 does notneed to be a high performance, large capacity machine, which iseconomical.

[0395] (6) In order to identify a necessary part, the user simplyselects, starting from the model of a construction machine, theappropriate names of type, module, etc. arranged in hierarchical order,by referring to the graphics images on display. Thus, she will be ableto securely reach the necessary part even if her knowledge is at a farlower level than those of the personnel of sales agent and ofmanufacturer. This demonstrates the convenience of this system.

[0396] (7) When the user selects a necessary part, both the parts list352 and the drawing list 350 are presented on display. Therefore, itwill be possible for the user to check that the parts data of the partshe has selected are properly inserted in the parts list 352. In thisrespect too, the convenience of system is demonstrable.

[0397] (8) Exchange of a parts check list 360 among the host computer320, agent's server 330 and user terminal 340 is achieved via the partscheck list preparing means 325, 335 and 345 consisting of mailingsoftware, which will dispense with the need for printing, mailing bypost, bringing mail to the post office, etc. This improves efficiency inthe transactions for the sale and purchase of parts.

[0398] [Variant of Third Embodiment]

[0399] The parts check list preparing system/method of this invention isnot limited to the third embodiment, but may include following variants.

[0400] The parts check list preparing system 301 of the above embodimentprepares parts check lists based on the data of the tables 3341-3346 oron the data from the database stored in agent's server 330, to use themas a material to be attached to request for an estimate, estimate, andorder. This system may be further provided with a search functionthrough which any one data from among drawings, ID Nos. of parts, types,modules, etc. are utilized to locate the other data.

[0401] The system is further provided with a function through which theuser or the sales agent can alter the used number of part or its price.

[0402] The system is further provided with a function through which theuser can leave a note on any desired display. The function may be sointroduced as to allow the note to be only accessible by the user or thesales agent inserting the note, or may be so introduced as to allow bothparties to gain access to the note.

[0403] The parts check list preparing system of this invention can beused not only for the purchase or sale of parts, but also for thepreparation of a request for the estimate or ordering of a constructionmachine. The flow of procedures necessary for preparing a parts checklist used for the above purpose are described in the enclosuresurrounded by two dot-dash lines of FIG. 44.

[0404] Specifically, the agent's server 330 may store an accessory tablewhich lists accessories such as buckets classified by models, cataloguetable which lists the data in catalogues, and specification table whichlists data such as performance, size, etc., classified by models. Theuser, for a construction machine she is using, fetches relevant data andcauses the monitor to display them, selects parts on the layout of themachine, thereby obtaining data of the parts, arranges the data into aparts list, and finally inserts the list into a parts check list.

[0405] In this case too, the user can accurately inform the sales agentof the ID No. of the accessories, as well as the ID No. of the machine.

[0406] It is not always necessary for the memory means 334 of agent'sserver 330 to store the same data as does the memory means 324 of thehost computer 320. If, for example, the sales agent exclusively dealswith the sale of bulldozers, the memory means 334 of agent's server 330does not need to store the data of wheel loaders and hydraulic shovels.This accepted, the hard disk of agent's server may have a smallercapacity which is economical, and ensures a higher responsivity becauseof its smaller amount of data being handled. Further, the time requiredfor downloading data from the host computer 320 will be shortened whichwill save labor.

[0407] In the above embodiment, the parts check list was initiallyprepared by the user. However, the parts check list may be prepared bythe sales agent or by a network terminal of the manufacturer. If, forexample, the user has no terminal connected to the network, the salesagent may prepare, on behalf of the user, a parts check list, insertnecessary data such as price, availability, etc., into it, transmit itto the manufacturer, while the agent may print the same parts checklist, and send it to the user by fax, mail, or hand.

[0408] In the above embodiment, description was given with respect to aparts check list about the parts of a construction machine. The parts tobe described in the parts check list of this invention may include, inaddition to the parts of construction machines, the parts of merchandisein a wide variety of fields, such as the parts of general machines andinstruments, automobiles, houses, leisure goods, goods necessary forsubsistence, or merchandise itself.

[0409] FIGS. 56 to 58 shows the examples of parts check lists includingthe parts of goods other than construction machines.

[0410] The monitor 340A of user terminal shown in FIG. 56 presents thetitles of goods such as “Concrete-related materials,” “Land-holdingpipe-related materials,” “Iron-rod, iron-plate processing machines,”“Farming- and gardening-related machines.” These titles of goods arestored in the network server's memory means as a table of good names.

[0411] On this display, if the user selects, for example, “House,” themonitor will display the titles of drawings such as “Steel-madedepository (standard),” “Steel-made depository (flat type),” . . . asshown in FIG. 57. The titles of drawings are stored in the memory meansof the server and user terminal as tables of drawings and data, and eachdrawing table stores the graphic data corresponding with the title ofthe drawing.

[0412] Accordingly, if the user selects a drawing titled “Unit house,”the monitor 340A of user terminal will present a drawing 350 giving thepictures of unit houses as shown in FIG. 58. In association, the indexdata, type, ID No., beam interval, ceiling height, etc. of each unithouse to be inserted into a parts data table 351 are displayed.

[0413] If the user selects a unit house identified by symbol “KU7060” inthe drawing 350, the data of parts of the unit house correspondent withthe graphics data identified by that symbol will be arranged into a listwhich also serves as a merchandise list.

[0414] Next, the parts check list preparing means (see FIG. 42) at theuser terminal prepares a parts check list based on the data contained inthe merchandise list, which also serves as a goods check list.

[0415] As described above, this system also allows a parts or goodscheck list to be accurately and quickly prepared, even if the listconcerns with other goods than the parts of construction machines.

[0416] The network which serves as a base of the parts check listpreparing system of this invention is not limited to that described withrespect to the above embodiment, but may include any desired network.For example, the smallest acceptable network may include a networkcomprising a manufacturer's or agent's network server and a userterminal connected with each other on an on-line basis.

[0417] The user network terminal (user terminal) may include, inaddition to personal computers, for example, portable telephones andPDAs (portable digital assistants) having a browser function. Such aterminal allows the user to gain access to the network to utilize thepresent system, even if the user is at a construction site where nocommercial communication lines or power lines are available.

[0418] To utilize the present system by connecting a network server anda network terminal via a network is of course within the scope of thisinvention, but to reproduce the function of this system using astand-alone type computer will be also included in the scope of thisinvention as claimed in claim 1. This is because even with such a systemit will be possible to profit from the feature characteristic with thisinvention, that is, quick and secure preparation of a parts check listbased on the graphics data and parts data fetched from a database.

[0419] The recording medium to be incorporated in this invention mayinclude, in addition to a hard disk to form a memory means of a networkterminal, an optical disk which may be used for storing programs to beinstalled in the hard disk, or, in short, any recording medium that canstore the computer programs necessary for running this system.

[0420] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0421] FIGS. 59 to 65 show an information storing system 401representing a fourth embodiment of this invention.

[0422] The information storing system 401 shown in FIG. 59 is a systemby which to convert, for example, assemblage layouts and parts listsrelated with the layouts into digital data using computer technology,and comprises a control means 410 consisting of a CPU and memory, and amemory means 420 consisting of a hard disk, the control means 410 havinga scanner 431 to serve as an information collecting means, a keyboard432 to serve as a character data feeding means 432, a mouse to serve asa selecting means, and a display 434 connected thereto.

[0423] The control means 410 comprises an image data writing means 411,a character data writing means 412, an OCR reading means to serve as acharacter reading means 413, a character position defining means 414,nominated position defining means 415, and output delivering means 416.These means 411 to 416 are actually software executed by the controlmeans 410.

[0424] The memory means 420 stores a drawing table 421 shown in FIG. 60,a symbol/character conversion table 422 shown in FIG. 61, and asymbol/coordinate conversion table 423 shown in FIG. 62. The means 411to 416 consisting of software are also stored in this memory means 420.

[0425] The functions of the means 411 to 416 of control means 410 willbe described together with the tables 421 to 423 of memory means 420.

[0426] The image data writing means 411 has a function to write theimage data of an assemblage layout acquired with scanner 431, intomemory means 420 as a drawing table 421, and will attach, if a title andfile name are fed via keyboard 432, the title and name to eachassemblage layout, and store the layout classified by title and filename.

[0427] In this embodiment, FIG. 60 illustrates how the assemblagelayouts of modules of a construction machine are acquired as image data.The title of layouts includes “Truck-shoe (flat type),” “Truck-shoe(triple geared)(#31152-,” “Truck frame (#3001-32999),” . . . , and theyexist as bit map files.

[0428] The character data writing means 412 has a function to collect,for each part with a symbol depicted in the assemblage layout, thecharacter data of that part, and write the character data into thesymbol/character data conversion table 422 in a text file format.

[0429] The symbol/character conversion table 422 shown in FIG. 61 showshow character data of the parts depicted in the assemblage layout oftruck roller (#52374-) of drawing table 421 are stored in memory. Thisassemblage layout is also shown in FIG. 64 as drawing 441.

[0430] In FIGS. 61 and 64, the character data include the index No.(IDX), ID No., name, used numbers of each part correspondent with thesymbol attached to the part, and mainly fed via keyboard 432. Forexample, for a part represented by symbol “2” depicted in layout 441,stored are “2” as IDX, “201-30-72140” as ID No., “Bush” as name, and “2”as used number.

[0431] The OCR reading means 413 has a function to identify charactersappearing as symbols in the graphics data of an assemblage layout readby a scanner 431, and convert them into text data.

[0432] For the graphics data of all layouts whose titles are listed inlayout table 421, symbols contained in the data are read by the OCRreading means 413, and the symbols are then converted into text datawhich are stored in the symbol storing areas of tables 422, 23classified by layouts, as represented by the layout of truck roller(#52374-) shown in FIGS. 61 and 62. In the symbol/character conversiontable 422 of FIG. 61, the number attached to the symbol thus stored ismade equal to the IDX number of the character data.

[0433] The character position defining means 414 has a function todetermine at what position the symbol read by the OCR reading means isprinted in the layout.

[0434] When layout 441 is positioned properly with respect to thescreen, the character position defining means 414 determines, for onesymbol “2” (lower symbol) read by the OCR reading means 413, it islocated at the center of a two-dimensional area 441A defined by fourcoordinate points (X21, Y21), (X22, Y22), (X23, Y23) and (X24, Y24) onthe screen as shown in FIG. 65, and stores these coordinate data inconnection with symbol “2” in the symbol/coordinate data conversiontable 423. Similar operation is performed for other symbols “A,” “1,”“3,” . . . . If the same symbol is printed at two or more differentsites in a layout as with symbol “2,” the coordinate data of each siteis registered into the symbol/coordinate conversion table 423 inconnection with the symbol.

[0435] The aforementioned means 411 to 414 mainly work for the storageof information, while the remaining nominated position defining means415 and output delivering means 416 have a function to nominate datastored in memory to put them on display. Specifically, this is achievedas follows.

[0436] The nominated position defining means 415 has a function todetermine by calculation, for a symbol selected by a mouse pointer 433A(FIGS. 64 and 65) of a mouse 433 on layout 441 or on the image datapresented on display 434, the coordinates of the symbol with respect tothe display 434.

[0437] For example, in FIGS. 64 and 65, if the user selects symbol “2”by pointing it with mouse pointer 433A, and clicks mouse 433, theposition defining means 415 determines by calculation the coordinates(X, Y) of the tip of the mouse pointer 433A.

[0438] The output delivering means 416 fetches, based on the title oflayout nominated via a display (not illustrated here), image datacorresponding with the title from the layout table 421, and causes thedisplay 434 to present the data, and further fetches character datacorresponding with the image data from the symbol/character conversiontable 422, and causes the display to present the character data besidethe image data.

[0439] For example, if the user selects truck roller (#52374-) as thetitle of layout, the output delivering means 416 fetches the graphicsdata of this layout from the layout table 421, causes the monitor 434 topresent the graphics data as a display 441, and then fetches all thecharacter data corresponding with the graphics data from thesymbol/character conversion table 422, and causes the monitor 434 todisplay the character data as a parts list 442 beside the graphics data.

[0440] Another function of the output delivering means 416 is todetermine in which coordinate data contained in the symbol/coordinatedata conversion table 423 the coordinate data of the mouse pointer 433Adetermined by the nominated position defining means 415 lies, thenidentifies the symbol specified by the coordinate data based on theresult, locates the symbol in the symbol/character conversion table 422,and highlights the character data related with the symbol, and thesymbol itself.

[0441] Specifically, if the user selects symbol “2” in layout 441 bypointing and clicking with mouse, the output delivering means 416determines that the coordinates (X, Y) of the mouse pointer 433A are inan area surrounded by the coordinate points (X21, Y21), (X22, Y22),(X23, Y23) and (X24, Y24), and thus identifies “2” in thesymbol/coordinate data conversion table as corresponding with thecoordinate data. Later, the same means identifies character data named“2 201-30-72140, bush 2 . . . ” as corresponding with symbol “2” in thesymbol/character conversion table 422, emphasizes the color orbrightness of these character data to make them distinguishable fromother data in the parts list 422, and converts “2” on display 441 to“(2).”

[0442] [Operation of Fourth Embodiment]

[0443]FIG. 63 is a flowchart to show the flow of procedures taken forthe storage of data to the display of data in this embodiment. Theoperation of this embodiment will be described in a sequential orderwith reference to FIG. 63.

[0444] At ST (step) 1, the user prepares assemblage layouts and liststhe user wants to manage as digital data. For a layout printed on paper,the user must acquire the layout printed on paper with a scanner 431,convert it into image data in a bit map format, and stores it in alayout table 421. In addition, the user must enter the name of layoutvia keyboard 432. For a list, the user must enter a headingrepresentative of the content of the list via keyboard 432 as text data,and stores it in a symbol/character conversion table 422.

[0445] At ST 402, the user causes the OCR reading means 413 to read theimage data in the layout table 421, thereby converting symbols in theimage data into text data, and stores the text (character) data in thesymbol/character conversion table 422 and in a symbol/coordinate dataconversion table 423.

[0446] At ST 403, the character position determining means 414determines the position of a symbol when a layout reproduced from theimage data is placed properly with respect to the display 434, definesthe position with four coordinate data given by the four points defininga boundary area 441A, and stores the coordinate data in thesymbol/coordinate data conversion table 423.

[0447] The above procedures are for storing data.

[0448] At ST 404, if the user wants to see a certain layout, she mayfeed the name of layout she wants to have on display via a display 434to present an appropriate input port (not illustrated here). She mayfeed, for example, “Truck roller (#52374-),” to have a display 441.Meantime, the output delivering means 416 fetches all the character datacorresponding with symbols “A,” “1,” “2,” “3,” . . . in display 441 fromthe symbol/character data conversion table 422, and causes the monitorto present the character data as a parts list 442 on display togetherwith layout 441.

[0449] At ST 405, if the user finds there is one among the parts oflayout 441 that she particularly wants to know in detail, she may selectit by pointing the symbol attached to the part, for example, “2” withthe mouse pointer 433A of mouse 433 on layout 441.

[0450] At ST 406, when symbol “2” is selected with mouse pointer 433A,the nominated position determining means 415 determines by calculationthe coordinate data (X, Y) of the nominated data, and identifies symbol“2” in the symbol/coordinate data conversion table 423, based on thecoordinate data (X, Y).

[0451] At STs 407 and 408, the output delivering means 416 identifies,based on symbol “2” thus identified, the corresponding character data “2201-30-72140 bush 2 . . . ” in the symbol/character data conversiontable 422, highlights the character data in question in a parts list442, and emphasizes symbol “2” by converting it into “(2)” on display441.

[0452] [Advantages of Fourth Embodiment]

[0453] According to this embodiment, following advantages will beensured.

[0454] (1) According to this information storing system 401, even ifassemblage layouts and parts listed related with each other exist asprinted documents, the assemblage layout is converted with a scanner 431into digital data, and the data of the part cited in the list aremanually fed via a keyboard 432 to converted into character dataexisting as digital data, it will be possible to save the cost requiredfor consumption of paper, printing of paper and storage of paper. Thiswill bring about a great reduction in cost required for documentmanagement.

[0455] (2) Because symbols in image data are read with an OCR readingmeans 413, and the symbol thus read is related with correspondingcharacter data via a symbol/character data conversion table 422, it ispossible to easily acquire a layout 441, a symbol in the layout 441, anda parts list 442 carrying the character data related with the symbol,and to present them side by side on the same display 434.

[0456] (3) If, for example, the user selects a symbol “2” in layout 441or an image reproduced from image data, with a mouse-pointer 433A, theuser will be able to locate symbol “2” in the symbol/coordinate dataconversion table 423 as defined by the coordinate data of (X21, Y21),(X22, Y22), (X23, Y23), and (X24, Y24) containing within the coordinatedata (X, Y) determined as the position nominated by the user, andfurther to locate the character data “2 201-30-72140, bush 2 . . . ”corresponding with symbol “2” in the symbol/character data conversiontable 422. Therefore, as a result of selecting a symbol present onlayout, the user can automatically obtain the character data relatedwith the symbol, and the character data and symbol thus acquired arehighlighted distinctly. Therefore, more accurate acquisition of theparts data of a necessary part will be ensured than would be possiblewith a system where no such devise as above is introduced.

[0457] (4) Because the coordinate data stored in the symbol/coordinatedata conversion table 423 include, for example, the coordinate data of atwo-dimensional, rectangular area 441A as defined by four summits eachdefined by the coordinates (X21, Y21), (X22, Y22), (X23, Y23) and (X24,Y24), and the rectangle is so selected as to position symbol “2” at itscenter, it will be possible for the user, when she nominates a symbolwith the tip of mouse-pointer 433A, to define a considerably large areawithout sacrificing the precision of nomination. Accordingly, when theuser wants to nominate a symbol, it will be possible for her to laxlynominate a position close to the symbol with mouse-pointer 433A, withoutdamaging her intended purpose.

[0458] [Variant of Fourth Embodiment]

[0459] This invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments,but may include other constitutions as long as they meet the object ofthe present invention, and naturally includes following variants.

[0460] According to the above embodiment, if the user selects a symbolin layout 441 with mouse-pointer 433A, the character data (parts data)of the part identified by the symbol are located in the parts list 442.This is achieved by the nominated position determining means 415 ofcontrol means 410 shown in FIG. 59. However, a character data locatingmeans may be introduced in stead of the nominated position determiningmeans 415, so that the means in question may locate, whenever anydesired character data in the parts list 442 is selected withmouse-pointer 433A, a symbol corresponding with the character data inthe symbol/character data conversion table 422, and further locatecoordinate data corresponding with the symbol in the symbol/coordinatedata conversion table 423.

[0461] In such a system, if the user selects any desired character datain the parts list 442, she will be able to obtain the coordinate datawith respect to the screen of a symbol corresponding with the characterdata. Then, the symbol giving the coordinate data in question will behighlighted on display, to emphasize its visibility, and thus it will beeasy to locate the symbol in the layout on display. This constitution isincluded in claim 4 of this invention.

[0462] Both the character data locating means and the nominated positiondetermining means 415 of the above embodiment may be implemented in thecontrol means 410.

[0463] The coordinate data to be stored in the symbol/coordinate dataconversion table 423 may include, in addition to those defining the foursummits of a rectangular area 441A, those defining three, five or morepoints of a boundary area.

[0464] The character data of the above embodiment include the parts dataof a part depicted in a layout 441, but the character data according tothis invention is not limited to such data, but may include any specialitems cited in a layout such as numbers indicating the type of standard(specification), etc.

[0465] The image data are not limited to a layout either. What isderived via a scanner 431 from the texts and figures of a book, or froma list existing as a printed document may be stored and managed as imagedata. In such a case, data possibly related with the list now convertedto image data are preferably fed as character data via keyboard 432.Such data include, for example, the author of the list, date ofpreparation, purpose of preparation, etc.

[0466] In summing up, the image data according to this invention includeany desired data on a printed document, and the character data alsoinclude any data related with the image data.

[0467] In the above embodiment, character data are fed via keyboard 432.However, data fed via other means than keyboard are also included inthis invention. For example, feeding of character data may be achievedby using a scanner 431 and OCR reading means (or a system obtained byintegrally uniting the two apparatuses). In this case, the scanner 431and OCR reading means 413 forms, in combination, the character feedingmeans of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information providing system to provideinformation of an information provider stored in a network server to aninformation seeker, the network server, comprising: a memory portion tostore information of the information provider; a key conferring means toconfer a security key to a first information seeker whom the informationprovider permits the access to his information, and to confer anothersecurity key to a second information seeker provided that the firstinformation seeker permits the second information seeker to directlyobtain information from the information provider; a key checking meansto check whether or not the security keys fed by the first and secondinformation seekers are authorized, and to determine whether or notinformation should be provided to the given information seeker; and aninformation searching/acquiring means to fetch information required bythe first and second information seeker from the storage portion asnominated by the security key.
 2. The information providing systemaccording to claim 1 , wherein the storage portion comprises a pluralityof storage areas, and the first and second information seekers can gainaccess only to the storage areas selected by the information providerout of the plurality of storage areas.
 3. The information providingsystem according to claim 1 , wherein the information comprises at leastimage data, and character data related with characters in the imagedata.
 4. An information providing method for providing information of aninformation provider stored in a network server to an information seekervia a network, comprising the steps of: storing information of theinformation provider in the network server; conferring a security key toa first information seeker whom the information provider permits theaccess to his information, and conferring another security key to asecond information seeker provided that the first information seekerpermits the second information seeker to directly obtain informationfrom the information provider; checking whether or not the security keysfed by the first and second information seekers are authorized, anddetermining whether or not information should be provided to a giveninformation seeker; and fetching, if it is determined that provision ofinformation to the information seeker is acceptable, informationrequired by the first and second information seeker from the storageportion as nominated by the security key.
 5. A storing medium forstoring a computer program necessary for causing a computer system toexecute the information providing method according to claim 4 .
 6. Anelectronic mailing system for allowing electronic mails to be exchangedbetween network terminals connected with each other via a network, thenetwork terminal, comprising: an image processing means to process animage on a display used for preparing an electronic mail; a compressingmeans to compress a file obtained from the electronic mail containingthe processed image; and a depressing means to depress the compressedfile.
 7. The electronic mailing system according to claim 6 , whereineach means comprises a software package respectively, and a transmittingnetwork terminal is provided with an initial mail transmitting means totransmit those software packages.
 8. The electronic mailing systemaccording to claim 6 , wherein the network terminal is provided with amailing history displaying means to display the history of exchangedelectronic mails.
 9. The electronic mailing system according to claims6, wherein the network terminal is provided with an image displayswitching means to switch the display mode of an image from enlargeddisplay to contracted display and vice versa.
 10. An electronic mailtransmitting/receiving method for transmitting/receiving an electronicmail to/from a network terminal connected via a network, comprising thesteps of: processing an image on a display u sed for preparing anelectronic mail to prepare a n electronic mail; compressing a fileobtained from the electronic mail containing the processed image beforethe electronic mail is transmitted from a transmitting network terminal;and depressing the compressed file, after the file is received by areceiving network terminal.
 11. A computer program to cause a computersystem to execute the electronic mail transmitting/receiving methodaccording to claim 10 .
 12. A parts check list preparing system,comprising: a means to store a database comprising the graphics data ofa layout of a part, and the parts data of the part; a means to fetch thegraphics data of a part necessary for preparing a parts check list; ameans to cause a layout reproduced from the graphics data of the part tobe presented on display; a means to select the part in the layout; ameans to fetch the parts data corresponding with the graphics data ofthe selected part from the database; a means to arrange the parts datainto a list, and to cause the list to be presented on display togetherwith the layout; and a means to automatically prepare the parts checklist based on the parts list.
 13. The parts check list preparing systemaccording to claim 12 comprising a network server and a network terminalconnected with each other via a network, the network server, comprising:(A) a server's memory means to store the title of layouts of parts, thegraphics data of the layouts, and the parts data of those parts; (B) alayout title acquiring means to acquire the title of a layoutarbitrarily chosen by the network terminal; (C) an information searchingmeans to search through the server's memory means for the graphics datacorresponding with the acquired title of the layout, and the parts dataof the part reproduced from the graphics data of the layout title; (D)an output delivering means to deliver, as output, the searched graphicsdata and parts data to the network terminal, and to cause the displaydevice of the network terminal to present the layout reproduced from thegraphics data, and the network terminal comprising: (a) a terminal'smemory means to store the graphics data and parts data provided by thenetwork server; (b) a layout data acquiring means to acquire thegraphics data of a part selected from the layout displayed on theterminal's display device; (c) a parts list preparing means to searchthrough the terminal's memory means for the parts data correspondingwith the graphics data just acquired; (d) a parts list delivering meansto deliver the parts data thus acquired to the display device, and toinsert the parts data into the parts list displayed together with thelayout; and (e) a parts check list preparing means to prepare a partscheck list based on the part data in the parts list.
 14. The parts checklist preparing system according to claim 13 , the network terminalcomprising a duplicate acquisition preventing means to cause, if thenetwork terminal selects the parts data of any one of plural parts, andthe parts data of an assembly composed of those plural parts, thenetwork terminal to obtain only the parts data of the assembly.
 15. Theparts check list preparing system according to claim 13 , wherein theserver's memory means stores a price table containing price data of eachpart, and a storage table containing a storage data of each part; andwherein the network server comprises a response preparing means whichsearches through the price table and storage table for the price dataand storage data of the parts listed in the parts check list, and makesthe parts check list reflect the search result.
 16. The parts check listpreparing system according to claim 13 , wherein at least two networkservers different in communication distances to the network terminal areintroduced; and wherein the network terminal gains access to a networkserver shorter in communication distance.
 17. The parts check listpreparing system according to claim 16 , wherein the network servershorter in communication distance checks whether or not any alterationis introduced in the graphics data and/or parts data stored in thenetwork server longer in communication distance; and wherein it updatesits own graphics data and/or parts data in accordance with thealteration whenever it finds an alteration is introduced.
 18. The partscheck list preparing system according to claim 12 , wherein the part isa constitutive element of a construction machine.
 19. A parts check listpreparing method, comprising the steps of: in addition to fetching thegraphics data of a part necessary for preparing a parts check list froma database comprising the graphics data of parts and the parts datathereof, causing a display device to present a layout based on saidgraphics data on display; after selecting the part in the layout ondisplay, fetching the parts data corresponding with the graphics data ofthe selected part from the database; arranging the acquired parts datainto a list and causing the display device to present the list togetherwith the layout; and automatically preparing a parts check list based onthe parts list.
 20. A computer program for causing a computer system toexecute the parts check list preparing method according to claim 19 .21. An information storing system, comprising: an image data acquiringmeans to acquire information on a printed document as image data; acharacter data feeding means to feed, as input, character data relatedwith a character contained in the image data; a character reading meansto read the character in the acquired image data; and a memory means tostore a conversion table whereby the character read by the characterreading means, and the character data corresponding with the readcharacter are mutually convertible.
 22. The information storing systemaccording to claim 21 , comprising: a nominating means to nominate thecharacter on an image reproduced from the image data; a nominatedposition determining means to determine the position nominated by thenominating means on the image as coordinate data; a character positiondetermining means to determine the position of the character nominatedby the nominated means on the image reproduced from the image data ascoordinate data; and an output delivering means to fetch, from thememory means, the character data of the character having approximatelythe same coordinate data as the coordinate data determined by thenominated position determining means; and wherein the memory meansstores, in addition to the conversion table, another conversion tablewhereby the character and the coordinate data corresponding with thecharacter are mutually convertible.
 23. The information storing systemaccording to claim 22 , wherein the coordinate data obtained by thecharacter position determining means occur as data to define atwo-dimensional area surrounding the character.
 24. The informationstoring system according to claim 21 , comprising: a nominating means tonominate the character data displayed as an image; a character datadetermining means to determine the character data nominated by thenominating means; a character position determining means to determinethe position of the character on the image reproduced from the imagedata as coordinate data; an output delivering means to fetch, from thememory means, the coordinate data of a character the same with thecharacter represented by the character data determined by the characterdata determining means; and wherein the memory means stores, in additionto the conversion table, another conversion table whereby the characterand the coordinate data corresponding with the character are mutuallyconvertible.
 25. An information storing method, comprising the steps of:acquiring information on a printed document as image data; feeding, asinput, character data related with a character in the image data;reading the character in the acquired image data; and storing thecharacter read by the character reading means, and the character datacorresponding with the thus read character with the two kinds of datakept interrelated.
 26. A computer program for causing a computer systemto execute the information storing method according to claim 25 .